Mice Parade -- Label website
If any of you are regular viewers of the Simpsons, you may recall one episode where Lisa becomes jealous of a new classmate who appears to be just as bright as her, they begin to compete in everything from English class to band practice, where they both play the saxophone. Then the new girl invites Lisa home for dinner where the family begins to show its intellectual prowess by making anagrams of their own, and Lisa's, names. Obviously there is a connection between the ability to create meaningful anagrams and intellectual wizardry. Adam Pierce is no exception. The brains behind the anagramly named Mice Parade, Pierce is a musical wizard conjuring up new an exciting sounds for every album he's ever written.
Mice Parade is not by any means a new band. Pierce has been producing music under the moniker since 1998, however he has come nowhere close to mainstream success. There are a variety of reasons that could be used to explain this phenomenon. Mice Parade's music varies drastically from one album to the next, swinging from electronic, atmospheric, pop; to wildly percussive and acoustic African influenced world music. The Parade's latest, self-titled, album is perhaps its most mainstream one as well. One finds hints of modern indie music, Stars and the like, but also a folk sensibility that is purely intellectual bliss. If the opening 15 seconds of the album's starter "Sneaky Red" don't grab you and make you want to hear the whole thing, send it to me, I'll be sure it gets into the right hands.
Charlene Soraia -- Myspace
Now if you manage to grab a copy of Charlene's EP be sure to send it to me along with Mice Parade's album, but this time only because I showed my own intellectual shortcomings by not picking up a copy last night. Charlene is a new singer/songwriter based in London who is blowing away audiences with her super silky vocals and unbelievable guitar prowess. I don't know how many octaves she managed to reach last night at the Enterprise in Camden, but at times I could swear that I hear Mariah Carey making jealously bitchy comments in the back of the bar. Charlene is very much on the British bandwagon started by the likes of Amy Winehouse and Joss Stone, but adds her own personal flourishes by playing her cheap Gibson copy with such mesmerizing fluidity and with such original technique that is amazing to think that she is singing along at the same time. The fact that she is playing 6 dates in less than 3 weeks in London proper only attests to the popularity that this young woman is set to attain. I am just glad that I got to see her before she starts playing venues like the O2 arena where her charm will be lost among the masses. If you have the opportunity, definitely check her out, she is a joy to listen to.
Comments