There are many words that can be used to describe GRETCHEN LIEBERUM'S new album, "Siren Songs". Dark, dangerous, classy, beautiful...
It's perhaps no coincidence that "Siren Songs" was the title chosen for this album, Lieberum's music is alluring and very sexy. But there is a bizarre sharpness that belies the calm, and it is possible that listeners may get smashed on the rocks if they aren't careful.
There is a David Lynch quality to this music, although you do need to give the album a good listen in order to get your head around it. On the surface, it is a very pleasant jazz album with some decent covers and lovely ballads. But after listening a few times, the dark true colours are gradually revealed, introducing a deep sense of unease.
"Paper Tigers" for example, wanders into the realms of Cassandra Wilson, and would be the perfect chill-out number, if it wasn't for the unnerving tension caused by a few well-placed subtle drones that put the listener well and truly on edge - very much in the same vein of Scott Walker.
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Rather than the warmness that jazz can often bring, "Siren Songs" exudes a cold sense of detatchment, and really gives you the shivers. However, this curious manipulation is far from unpleasant, and it showcases the experimental approach that Lieberum has taken.
We are also treated to a stunning cover of "Do You Realise" (Flaming Lips), where Lieberum pulls out the inherent Jazz element of the number, as well as the weirdness. A more ambitious cover, perhaps, would be Massive Attack's "Teardrop". But again, she pulls it off, although more as a nod of appreciation rather than making the song her own. Let's face it, who can ever compete with Elizabeth Fraiser?
"Siren Songs" is a confident, clever and highly paradoxical album. Sexy and intelligent, disturbing but chilled-out, ethereal, tense and quite scary. Great stuff.
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