|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Thao Nguyen:
Like the Linen
At first glance, I thought for sure I was not going to like this album. Im not sure what it is about the cover or the album title. Like the Linen, I was immediately put off by; but I was wrong, and I am glad I was. Thao Nguyen delivers ten poppy acoustic guitar driven songs with appropriate yet minimalist backing instruments. From the get go the riffs are catchy and soothing, familiar and comfortable. Thaos voice is not overwhelmingly good but is perfect for these songs. Its the pinch of imperfection that makes you feel close to the singer-songwriter, and there is a deep level of intimacy throughout this album that makes you feel loved or at least not alone. Nguyen comes from Northern Virginia, and in her debut album, she delivers one of my favorite albums of the year. Romance dominates a great deal of her material, with the typical angles covered; falling in and out of love, fear of intimacy, co-dependency, etc. But it is the way she says it or perhaps how she says it that makes Nguyens approach different from most. In the song Tallymarks, she opens the track stating, I cant explain it Im afraid of noise/ And all this time still afraid of boys. Although not a complex line she delivers it like she means it from the heart. Shes not just another guitar playing gal delivering lyrics generic to her gender. It really is her humanness that is appealing. The songs Hills, Tallymarks, Vision in Red, and Moped" are my personal picks of the album. On Hills she claims, Well, Ill take you to the hills/ The size of a movie screen/ They are showing still/ Ill spin you round myself/ Dizzy us up/ And shake us well. Vision in Red is an easy to listen to, upbeat track with a sweet little slide guitar part. Moped is just a fun song, both sweet and sour, that makes you feel young. Do yourself a favor, and get to know Thao Nguyen; its easy if you buy this album.
Check Amazon, Insound and CD Universe to purchase this album.
About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
