Michael Andrews - Hand on String (We Love You)
3/5
By: Chris O'Toole
Eschewing the celebrity trappings of their craft may not be the path chosen by the shining lights of the musical world in this celebrity crazed twenty first century; but it has served well for Michael Andrews. The writer of the original motion pictures scores for both 'Donnie Darko' and 'Me You and Everybody we Know' Andrews has provided the stimulating soundtrack to some of the most provocative cinema of recent years, whilst remaining well below the radar of popular acclaim. Coupled to this motion picture work, the Californian native has also been integral in the recording of material for Brendon Benson and Inara George amongst a host of others, and is an accomplished ukulele player; quite a career for someone virtually unknown this side of the Atlantic.
Now, however, after a career spanning over fifteen years Michael Andrews is putting his best foot forward and stepping out onto the stage in his own right. His debut solo recording, 'Hand on String', released on his personal Elgin Park Records in America, has been given a release in this country by We Love You records and is sure to meet with warm acclaim. For the first time 'Hand on String' provides a glimpse at the man who so often lurks behind his music, displaying the autobiographical narratives and multi-instrumental talents of the writer, and not merely adding texture or resonance to the stories of others.
The work is characterised by tones of tenderness and subtlety, meditation and calm, and is given free rein to follow tangents and explore the tiny moments of magic that make up everyday life. Opener 'Something Already Happened' is all plucked guitar, choral singing in the distance and a building crescendo of chants. It provides an intriguing window into the piece about to unfold, alluring and mystical, generating just enough to hook the listener into the journey about to unfold. This is followed by 'Tracings', which together with the albums introduction give the feel of a steam train slowly moving away from a country station, all slow grandeur and latent power. Andrews' vocal contributions on this track are comparable to Archer Prewitt, of Sea and Cake fame, and perhaps Bill Callahan of Smog. The feeling is again one of whimsy, but with a serious undertone, as if the writer is speaking from experience, having learned the lessons.
Folk music, both American and British, grows to form a key touchstone as the album unfolds. 'Just a Thought' questions the listener in the style once employed by Syd Barratt, with Andrews displaying a brash honesty and imploring his muse to be frank with him in return. The production is more intricate and dynamic than anything Barratt employed in his lifetime, but the plaintive, capricious freedom is a shared trait. There are also shades of Nick Drake, 'Orange Meet Lemon' for example, but again backed with a complex lattice of piano, guitar and percussion, outside of the beautiful simplicity of the quintessential English folk singer. Other highlights include 'Sweeping, Cleaning and Organising' which has a slightly rickety propulsion, ambling along peering into windows and at passers by. Hummed vocal shards convey a sense of confusion to mirror the faintly disorganised musical score, creating a sense of pleasant confusion. ''Before the Echo' sounds akin to an upbeat Sparklehorse number, with a charming guitar line and mournful vocal combining to form a nostalgic contentment.
'Hand on Sting' is a thoroughly pleasant listen in the truest sense of the word; never intrusive, but always shimmering and mesmerising, shining just out of reach. Andrews has a gift for delicate song craft and a subtlety charming voice. His work is sparse but conveys wide rambling rivers of emotion, flowing gently but irrepressibly on.
Stream two tracks from 'Hand on String' HERE.
Artists in this article: Michael Andrews
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment