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Adequacy.net
22 October 2001
when The Cure brought them along on the Wish tour? If you have forgotten them, you might recollect the haunting melody of trickling but sometimes sweet and acoustic battered goth-rock. With quite the extensive discography behind them, The Cranes picked up more pop and released the previous LP Population Four, showing growth and a new sound coming along. Future Songs reminds me more of older releases, which I expect will please fans of Wings of Joy and Jewel.
First and most obvious, The Cranes' signature is, in fact, singer Alison Shaws voice. As put by a Ticket Master employee at one time, it is commonly either loved or hated, and it resembles to that of a child. Though the band is English and she does have an accent and a lisp, her vocal tracks are sometimes echoed or somewhat dark. It is a unique quality that sets The Cranes apart from any other band, and it often comes across as very sweet and comforting accompanied by soft and aching lyrics to acoustic simplicity standing strong on it's own. I recall doubting that it was actually her true sound, if she used it as well in her speaking voice, and I wondered what she might look like. She is indeed a gorgeous woman, also endearing to the fact that the songwriting and band consists mostly of herself and sibling James Shaw. There is something to be said for a mere vocal track like these that provide intense heart-wrenching mood and structured emotion.
The Shaws have produced, released, and practically recorded this entire LP on their own. It shows their more sincere material as well as fulfillment to their songwriting potential and shines brightly on their growth as musicians. Times of technology and musical production have come to a high, and musically The Cranes still find an electric branch all their own. With a wide variety of styles, the band accomplishes many things. Loud, droning guitars drive through many of these tracks much like older sets, yet the album does seem a bit more quiet as far as reverbed synthesizing and machinery go.
That said, there are some light-hearted tracks here, they just somehow hold more of the bands' original shadowy style in seriousness and intensity. If you enjoy The Cranes already, this album is highly recommended. It won't disappoint a familiar fan and will provide more insight into what the band is about. It stands out as all of the good points of the last releases held together with even more to offer. If you are unfamiliar with the band, it is worth looking into as it is refreshingly different and tasteful and possibly something of interest and curiosity if not enjoyment. For myself, I wouldn't hesitate to mention it's gotten more play in my house then any other release this year.
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