lambchops's Full Review: Who Can You Trust? by Morcheeba
The final part in a three-part series.
Looking for something different to listen to? Please allow me to suggest a little British band that goes by the name of Morcheeba. To date, they’ve released three albums of new material beginning in 1996 with the album I’m about to review…Who Can You Trust? The band’s sound has evolved from their early foray into the depths of trip hop to a very talented pop band with tinges of strangeness. Not that I have a problem with strange.
Morcheeba is one of the most interesting bands to hit the music scene in a long time. Led by the smoothly ethereal vocalist Skye Edwards, the band’s sound is difficult to categorize. With electronica infused folk, funk, and rock produced by the brothers Paul and Russ Godfrey, Morcheeba emits a sound appealing to many diverse sets of ears.
On Who Can You Trust?, the trio’s sound is darker than on subsequent albums. Released on indie label Indochina in 1996, the album became a slow burning success for the newly formed band. Pop is disguised and twisted around the darkened, low, electronic beats in such a manner that it’s easy to forget the band’s light hearted roots. Quite an impressive debut from Morcheeba to say the very least. Who Can You Trust? includes twelve songs. The most popular track is undoubtedly the band’s first single and EP Trigger Hippie. It was based on the success of that EP that the band was signed and released their lovely debut album.
These twelve tracks glide through every musical genre imaginable. As I already mentioned, Morcheeba is generally thrown in with trip-hop with bands like Portishead. But, alas. I do believe that Morcheeba has more to offer to than most other bands to listeners. For one, they do use real instruments most notably guitars. For two, there is Edwards. Her voice is fabulously emotional and unlike anything you’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing before.
With that said, it’s difficult to choose my favorite songs. The haunting opening of Moog Island is impossible to forget. The instruments and percussion are so very understated behind Edwards’ shining vocals that it’s nearly impossible to easily find a niche in which to place Morcheeba. Listen to the track and then tell me that you aren’t impressed. I dare you.
Trigger Hippie helped to make Morcheeba a success musically. It’s in this song that you hear the sound that really appeals to be. Edwards once again shines, but this time the work from the Godfrey brothers is equally impressive. This is the epitome of good music regardless of genre. And, with the mix of Middle Eastern influences the end result is nothing short of magnificent. Even if the sound is low and slow, the overall feel is optimistic.
Dare I say that I’m captivated by the third track, Post Houmous? I dare. Calm and understated, this track is a controlled exploit into lounge. I’m not a huge fan of any instrumental tracks to speak of, but this song is brief and acts and an intro of sorts to Tape Loop…another brilliant track. This is where the real appeal of Morcheeba comes to light. Every song is wonderful with none proving in the least bit a disappointment. Where one ends, the next begins. Tape Loop is relatively upbeat and could have seemed just as easily at home on the band’s second album Big Calm.
Edwards voice is a perfect compliment to perfect electronica/guitars. Never An Easy Way is a laid back, slow, but somehow still sanguine track. While I wholly appreciate the track, I do enjoy some of the band’s denser examples. I enjoy layers, and at most times Never An Easy Way presents multiple layers. When I doesn’t, I do on occasion utter a yawn. But, Edwards usually wakes me from my daze. Her vocals are piercing.
Howling includes drums, guitars, and an overall very sweet melody. Edwards harmonizes at times with herself. But, rather than seeming egocentric or pretentious the resulting sound is another example of truly inspired music. Howling is one of the best songs on the album. And with the inclusion of a string quartet toward the end the layers are many and varied. Howling goes right where pop in general goes wrong. It’s not afraid to change into something else, crossing barricades and genres.
Muffled, bass beats introduce the fantastically funky Small Town. What more can be said except Edwards sound great (as usual) and Paul and Russ Godfrey are masters of programming. Oh, and there’s that saxophone to make this an even more impressive and multifaceted masterpiece.
The abrupt change in sound to Enjoy The Wait is welcomed and wonderful all in the same breath…not that anything is at all wrong with Who Can You Trust? Instrumental roots blues mixed with electronica is a good way to describe the brief track that allows you to ironically enjoy the wait. It is an interesting way in which to introduce the ninth track Col. Col is driven by stringed instruments carefully crafted to sound an intricate part of the programming. The delicate tenor of Edwards’ voice is profoundly inspiring and profoundly otherworldly.
The title track Who Can You Trust? is one of the less enthralling tracks of the album. It’s much too long at nearly nine minutes and begins much too slowly. But, with the seamless integration of all of the elements I’ve mentioned earlier it’s a sort of primer to the Morcheeba sound. Edwards’ voice is an instrument here. She doesn’t utter so much as a word, but her vocals are integral as a part of the song.
Almost Done features some of the most impressive vocals from Edwards to date. I really enjoy her voice layered on top of the deep bass guitar (or synth programmed to sound like one). Finally, End Theme wraps up the album as in part an uptempo reprise of Moog Island. Once again, Edwards uses her voice as an instrument. What a lovely way to wrap up this brilliant, inspired debut album.
Who Can You Trust? would be a perfect album from a seasoned band. But coming as a debut effort, it’s astounding to say the very least. Morcheeba is a band to be reckoned with talent to spare. Some people may say that this album isn’t particularly inspired. My opinion differs from that opinion. Morcheeba is inspired and their sound certainly is appealing to many, many people who have yet to experience their vision. I am pleased to give this album the full 5/5 stars and recommend it to everybody. Yes, everybody. No qualifications at all to that statement.
Track Listing:
1. Moog Island
2. Trigger Hippie
3. Post Houmous
4. Tape Loop
5. Never An Easy Way
6. Howling
7. Small Town
8. Enjoy The Wait
9. Col
10. Who Can You Trust?
11. Almost Done
12. End Theme
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Like what I have to say about this album? You might also be interested to know what I have to say about the band’s subsequent two albums.
Big Calm – 1998
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