Like local late 90s/early 00s acts
Sound Like Sunset, Gersey and Swirl, new Melbourne band The Sirens
of Venice continue the tradition of creating dreamy,
shoegaze-influenced pop. Although they are a touring/recording
eight-piece, the group’s core comprises Craig Jackson from Gersey and
his wife Camilla, and the husband-and-wife team have written a
compelling debut album.
The Sirens’ music won’t
knock you over the head; rather, its a more subtle affair, preferring
to lull you with enchanting pop tunes and sweet melodies. Aside
from the ambient and stirring Sigur Ros-esque opening track “Come
Back To Me”, the music is strongly rooted in melodic pop, full of
lush orchestrations, rich and catchy melodies, and celestial sounds.
There are plenty of standouts – alongside the nostalgic-sounding “Somewhere Under the Sea” or the pretty and sparse “Unrequited
Dream #53”, “Do You Believe” is one of the album’s most
arresting songs – it is energetic and emotional at once , and its
not hard to fall in love with the ethereal backing vocals of Camilla,
the catchy chorus hooks and the song’s dense layers and build up.
Produced in part by Vincent Giarusso
(along with Jed Palmer), the record holds the same qualities that
made Underground Lovers albums like Dream It Down such a
pleasurably listen. The electronica inflections and penchant for
sweeping orchestral arrangements that Giarusso favours with his own
productions are ever present, especially in the more densely
orchestrated parts of the electro-pop inspired “It’s In My Head”
and in the majestic closing track “The Long Lines of Lonely Aches”,
where Craig’s voice also takes a rare step forward when he wails
confidently over shuffling rhythm.
Although it was recorded back in 2008,
the album is only surfacing now. With only a handful of songs on the
band’s MySpace to keep us warm in the meantime, it will be a welcome
relief when the full-length record finally hits the shelves. This is a stunning and
beautiful release from The Sirens of Venice, and it begs for repeat
listens.
Review score: 8/10
