Posts Tagged ‘Amy Millan’

STARS – ” There Is No Love in Fluorescent Light “

Posted: December 14, 2017 in CLASSIC ALBUMS, MUSIC
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Twinkling ever so brightly is this one by Quebec group Stars, produced by Peter Katis who has done an excellent job blending orchestral manoeuvres with upbeat synth pop. As always, Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell take turns at the mic delivering sensitive lyrics. The album was heralded by single “Privilege” which opens the disc. Playful B-side “We Call It Love” is included. “Losing to You”, at over 6 minutes, is packed with enough goodies to keep you captivated: a nocturnal shimmer that breaks into slapping beats and burbling bass. Another standout is “Hope Avenue” suggesting a place to go for Strange Advance’s “We Run”. “Real Thing” seals the deal for a great album, a synth pop ace. Even on the mellower tracks, genius is present, an example being “California, I Love That Name”. “Wanderers” is the perfect closer, dramatic and feel-goody. Three JUNO nominations, all for Alternative Album of the Year, are among Stars’ achievements.

PRINTER CLIPS with AMY MILLAN – ” If I Had Your Grace “

Posted: December 12, 2014 in MUSIC
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At least three of the participants in this ensemble side project of BellX1’s Paul Noonan would have little problem performing in any venue on their own, so it’s a win-win for fans of Noonan, Cathy Davey, Lisa Hannigan and Gemma Hayes to have them in the one room, for one song, huddled in a semi circle singing the chorus.

Noonan’s Printer Clips project strays and orphans of original songs that didn’t necessarily fit in with BellX1’s creative remit  has been fermenting for some years, with two songs dating back almost 10 years: “Vapour Trail” and “Some Surprise!” have previously appeared on 2006’s various artists charity album, The Cake Sale. Clearly, Noonan isn’t in any hurry to surge ahead with anything like a solo career, and indeed he seems rather comforted by the fact that this isn’t a solo gig.

This said, he starts off on his own with BellX1’s Godsong, a lovely tune with a Biblical bite in the lyrics, but then he’s immediately into this year’s Printer Clips album. As something to listen to on headphones, or even while peeling spuds, the record works its simple magic through hues of light and shade, grounded by Noonan’s intuitive sense of folk/pop melody and inordinately enhanced by co-vocals from the aforementioned Irish singers, as well as from the likes of Martha Wainwright, Joan as Policewoman, and Amy Millan (of Canadian band, Stars).