Cantinero - 'Championship Boxing' (Rykodisc)
4/5
By: Clara Burtenshaw
Following in the steps of Joss Stone and, erm, BBmak, Cantinero is another ex-pat set for stardom via stateside shores.
After eleven years of scraping a living bar-tendering, Chris Hicken releases an album positively dripping with the sound of a city where leaking taps, 1930's pianos, blues acoustics and barking dogs create their own sweltering soundtrack; a combination of analogue and digital synthesizers, delicate guitars and pensive pianos conjure up the most famous of cityscapes, and firmly places Cantinero in the same vein as singer-songwriters Rufus Wainwright and Ed Harcourt.
However, a quick listen to opening track 'So Low' will draw comparisons with young songsmith and fellow Noo Yawker Ben Kweller. 'The Machine', with its sultry, summery samba-style, couldn't be less musically redolent of its subject-matter, the suburbanisation of the city. Death, unobtainable love, scepticism and faith ('Jesus Loves You') add darker overtones to a light-hearted and feel-good album.
Like the foxy and stylish Regina Spektor, you'll be seduced by it, but can't quite explain why.
Artists in this article: Cantinero
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment