The latest collaborative release from
Lisa Papineau and
Juan Alderete finds the two musicians again working very well to create their own individual achievement separate from their other work, a strong instance of atmospherics and understatedly compelling performances at a time when there's plenty of good candidates to choose from.
Papineau's voice retains that quality of compelling focus mixed with inward consideration from her solo work, and with
Alderete focusing on the electronic possibilities that offers, the result's often quite lovely. If anything, the opening "Regions," thanks notably to the use of fretless bass, suggests a post-hip-hop/techno approach for something like
Dali's Car, with a distinct vocalist meeting up with a multi-instrumentalist to see what results. Overall the feeling of restraint and crisp focus remains paramount on
Before Gardens After Gardens, as on "Born with a Tear," a bit of a dreamy ballad from some
David Lynch/
Portishead intersection point given a gentler focus, or "Ready on the Line" as nervous, trebly music,
Papineau at once swooping and intensely cutting. But then there's a peppy little swing of a number like "Right Action," with space age pop grooves, quirky keyboards, and electronic astringency as
Papineau delivers a sweetly passionate performance, and the steady anthemic punch and groove of "Be Brave Go On," not a rabble-rouser per se but the closest thing the album has to it. "The Kindest Hour" is one of several moments when subtle backing vocals take the song to calm, familiar places, but other moments -- like the break into Hammond organ and descending bass, like a sudden late
Talk Talk-style edit even while the careful pop focus continues, followed then by a shift toward a full duet, squirrelly vocals, and feeling like a moody
Peter Gabriel number -- show the duo's abilities in full flight. ~ Ned Raggett