Review Summary: Enchanting yet weightless
While this release may help you
breath easy, it does seem a tad dry for a talented young band. But since that ‘Pure Air’ excreting from Anneke’s divine lungs isn’t moistening the arid atmosphere, it might have been a torrent of poor ratings that jets this album into a lake of unforgiving waters. Luckily, the talent here outweighs the (lack of) originality, making Pure Air, a beautifully sung, yet undeserving release.
I didn’t even realise Agua de Annique’s latest was a cover album until I heard the songs. The album, an acoustic rendering of previous material from vocalist, Anneke van Giersbergen, is entitled ‘Pure Air’. Pure acoustic. Pure boasting. Whatever you call it, there’s no doubt the album has been crafted around the exhibition of Anneke’s oral talents. The instruments have been suffocated, and then stamped into gawky scrap-metal boxes to allow a step-up for the vocals, which ascend and then transcend to astral points beyond the necessary. There’s no doubting she has a first-rate voice, but didn’t we already know this?
Since songs have been stripped and sanded to the bone, there is no difference between an acoustic lazy-afternoon fidget and the feeble mellow rendition that Anneke has performed. But resolute, the lassy continues to snatch anything in reach to build a jumble of pre-packaged tunes. These have originated from all different sources such as Agua de Annique’s 2007 album, past Anneke material from bands like Ayreon, as well as covers of Alanis Morisette's
Ironic and Damien Rice’s
The Blower’s daughter. So, whilst these outings are unoriginal, Anneke’s nervous commandeering of the band’s spotlight has proven auspicious and exciting.
As the listener hurdles the fact that the acoustics are as boring as bread without butter, we are left with the other half of the album; the vocals. The redemption phase has well and truly began. No matter the acoustics, no matter the covers, no matter the arrogance of it all, there is the undisputed fact that Anneke’s harmonies are beauteously executed.
The Blower’s daughter opens the jaunt giving the listener a wistful desire to open the heart to a deliriously susceptible adventure into the life of miserable lovers.
Wild Flowers is the moody story of the wild flowers that grow on the side of the road. Other highlights include the terrific Folky number,
Valley of the Queens, which lingers long after it finishes like the final whisper of an angel before it floats away.
Guest vocals by members of Anathema and Within Temptation become disinterested additions to the cause, only standing to add a mix to the scene. The padding is disappointingly noticeable in this album, prompting listeners to ask: If you have this sort of talent, why not put in the extra effort and do it properly? Unfortunately, this could have been a lot better, as if it reflects Anneke’s last couple of angst-ridden years since leaving The Gathering and realising it was a shocking decision. Or maybe not…
Agua de Annique’s “Pure Air” is out January 30, 2009 via Agua Recordings
