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Mermaid Kiss are a trio of musicians from Kington, Herefordshire whose debut, The Mermaid Kiss Album was released in June of 2003. Although this album is the first under the current band name, the three musicians, Evelyn Downing on vocals, flute and sound loops, Jamie Field on guitars and bass, and Andrew Garman on keyboards, bass and drums, have previously recorded musical scores for a local film project called The Vawn, a stage production of Twelfth Night and two musical projects that came out under Evelyn Downing's own name (the album Shine in 2001 and the Electric EP a year later). What is remarkable is that Evelyn is still only 20 years old! However, her vocals defy the tenderness of her years - assured, confident and dynamic she certainly is a match for current female stars in the progressive rock firmament - Rachel Jones from Karnataka and Heather Findlay from Mostly Autumn to name but two.
However, that is not to say that Mermaid Kiss occupy the same musical territory as those two groups, although in all honesty it is very difficult to actually categorise what type of music Mermaid Kiss do play! This is no criticism or drawback, far too much emphasis is placed on categorisations and the overuse of comparisons generally doesn't help bands who are searching for their own identity and often results in very misleading preconceptions. What is true to say is that the album is full of stunning vocals and harmonies, some very lush arrangements and a fair degree of experimentation. Generally, the album is quite laid back and dare one say, mellow. Ultimately relaxing, but not in an insipid 'new age' music way, the songs flow over the listener yet also reveal hidden depths on repeated listening.
Songs like Fated and Mermaid Kiss are beautiful in their simplicity while Like Water and Breathing Under Water are more rockier numbers (although far from conventionally so); Whisper is very atmospheric and hard to believe is based around one chord, Soundchaser effectively merges loops and a myriad of vocal harmonies and This Feeling, with its haunting flute is as memorable a song you'll hear this year. However, Just Like You gets my vote for standout track on the album. Dealing with the issue of cloning, the added effects portray the strangeness of what it would be like to find out that as an individual you are not unique, merged with the uncertainty of the long-term validity of the procedure. This is summed up in the vocals where Evelyn learnt to sing and record the lyric backwards then reversed the tape. The result is perfectly clear but has an ominous feeling of being not quiet right.
Think of any female-fronted band or female artist of the last two decades, be it Kate Bush, Iona, Clannad, All About Eve, Karnataka or even Kristin Hersh, and you can find elements of these artists in The Mermaid Kiss Album. A refreshingly different album that captivates and engrosses from the outset. Check out the samples on the bands website and be captivated by the Kiss!
7 out of
10
June 2004 -- -- Dutch
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