Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One hell of an album..., 29 Aug 2003
This is the only CD by Darling Violetta that I have. I really only bought it out of curiosity - I wanted to see if the reviews it had got were deserved. As soon as the first track, "A smaller God" began, I knew that the praise it received would definitely be well deserved. Cami's voice is fantastic - very powerful and extremely beautiful, she has great range. As another reviewer said, you can tell that a lot of thought has gone into the production of this album, so much so that you do not quite believe that this is the first full length album the band has produced. This is certainly not an album that was rushed to get to the shelves. Because of this, it feels as though the whole album is one continuous experience, instead of completely seperate tracks. If you like music with depth, real emotion, being produced by musicians putting their heart and soul into it, this is an album for you. This is what music should be. Highly recommended - what more can I say ?
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
beautiful and strange, 10 Mar 2004
In my personal experience, Parlour was a grower. It began as a very pleasing listen, but only after repeated playing did the true extent of the genius at work here present itself.
A gorgeous record. LA local heroes who gained most of their wider recognition from their contributions to the Buffy/Angel soundtracks, and it is possibly the extra support that this earned them that helped them to perfect what seems a very expensive-sounding debut. Cami Elen (la chanteuse) uses the full power and range of her awesome voice throughout, backed by a wide variety of instrumentation all played with remarkable creativity, and restraint - side-stepping the lure of bombast except when absolutely called for (eg the "big finish" of Say You Love Me). Cami's lyric sheet reads like the short story collection of a young Gia Marie Carangi, detailing the idiosyncracies of a plethora of exquisitely beautiful women, making for a narrower scope than their highly recommended EPs, but with an important sense of coherence which shapes the album in semi-concept form, complete with a full seven short interlude pieces and segues. The whole band toy impressively with melody, keeping each song interesting with subtle and unexpected changes. The singer's most enjoyable character is Candy Jones, her secret agent alter-ego, her vocal delivery teaming with the bassline to create an irresistible "we're doing intrigue now" pastiche, while Jymm Thomas wrestles a deliciously insane racket out of his guitar. Other highlights include the crashing guitars of opener "A Smaller God", and the layered harmonies of "Star Shoes", proving almost as gooey as their 1999 single "Spoiled & Rotten". Voluptuous. I can't wait for this band to come over to the UK. I'm sure they will go down a storm.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Are all indie bands this good?!?, 6 Mar 2003
Parlour is one of those albums that only come along once in a blue moon. It's the type of album that any band would love to call their own. In this case, Darling Violetta has that distinction. 'Parlour' is their first full-length album, but you wouldn't know it by the sounds that come from your speakers with this playing. It's full, robust, playful, and most of all professional.
Cami's voice is that of an angel on earth. Her range is amazing that it can't come from anything but an angel. Steve must have sold his soul to the devil for the ability to play the drums like he does on this album - I start sweating just thinking about it. Jymm takes the guitar to a completely new level...I’ve heard that his guitars are his lover...it must be true because he makes beautiful music with it!The lineup of songs on this album shows purpose, you can tell this album has been thought out. A Smaller God opens the disc after a small interlude and it's the perfect song to open with....it's deep and painful but it's so powerful. This album seems to be almost a tribute to independent women with songs like Pauline, Jessamine, and Candy Jones. Then comes Benediction and it's hard to 'get you out of my mind' it screams "PLAY ME AGAIN!" and just when you think you can't take anymore, Beautiful begins to close down the disc and it's just that, beautiful. Star Shoes is the last song on the disc and leaves you feeling upbeat...that is unless of course, you set this disc on repeat as you should.
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