(Dead Oceans)

Some more jazz with your artsy folk today, ma’am?

In White Hinterland, we see what Massachusetts-born songwriter Casey Dienel did after a moderately successful solo career on the US folk-roots circuit. That is, she hung up her solo boots, hired a crack team of musicians and put the finishing touches on her bandleader uniform. Dienel’s voice and piano-work are still very much a top priority, but the now instrumentally fleshed-out visions illustrate a confidence and joy that has previously eluded her. Even on weaker tracks, somehow a saving grace appears from behind the curtains to tie the whole thing together, so there’s very little you could really hate. The jazz-samba of Dreaming Of The Plum Trees has been rehashed so many times previously I swear it’s part of the Police Academy franchise, but the charming vocal harmonies during the chorus and scratchy guitar soon after save this kitten from the furnace. And Lindberghs + Metal Birds is an almost danceable groove is created by a slinky bass line, some delightful melodica work and snare-heavy drums.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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