Stillman - In the Margin

  by Adrian Huggins

published: 8 / 5 / 2007

Label: TRL Music
Format: CDS

intro

Classic sounding and ambitious indie rock from Stillman, the pseudonym of London based singer/songwriter Chaz Craik, who influences include Nick Drake, the Flaming Lips and the Shins

Stillman is the brainchild of London based singer/songwriter Chaz Craik. He plays classic sounding indie with atmospheric and ambient synth led rhythms to make a wall of sound. With a range of influences including Nick Drake, the Flaming Lips and the Shins, Stillman fits right in with the most heart felt and innovative indie music. This is all the more impressive taken into consideration that it is done by one person. He manages to not only sound like a full band, but a full band, all of whom are experts in their given musical field. 'In the Margin' is a slow burner that builds up beautifully at the chorus. It starts with an eerie keyboard hook, as the vocals are quickly underway wasting no time. The chorus builds beautifully with more keyboards added, and a gradual acoustic sound before the bass line kicks in completing the sound. The chorus soars sublimely leaving the eeriness behind with a slight inkling that there is something dark lying beneath it all. The song is incredibly atmospheric due to the lead keyboard tune and Craik’s voice fitting together perfectly. At times he sounds like several of the greatest British indie singers, all rolled into one, but mostly I was hearing a similarity to Feeder’s Grant Nichols. ‘In the Margin’ sounds like it could be an acoustic song on its own, but Stillman has made it far more interesting and distinctive with the use of a whole range of noises. They never clash or sound like too much as everything weaves in together neatly as the chorus peaks. Stillman is the sound of an ambitious and inventive musician who will no doubt make a name for himself with his encapsulating tunes.

Track Listing:-