Motion Picture - A Paper Gift

by Chris Jones

published: 17 / 12 / 2001

Label: Words On Music
Format: CD

intro

The first album that I ever reviewed for Pennyblackmusic was Motion Picture's previous album 'For a Distant Movie Star'. While I'd like to think my review writing technique has gotten better over that

The first album that I ever reviewed for Pennyblackmusic was Motion Picture's previous album 'For a Distant Movie Star'. While I'd like to think my review writing technique has gotten better over that time, I find myself not quite sure how to write this review. I think I referred to their last album as "underwhelming" and this album has left with that feeling too. And just as then, I mean that in a good way. The lyrics still deal primarily with tales of relationships that have failed for one reason or another and while this isn't new territory in the indie-pop world, Motion Picture manages to present these stories in a way that I find both unique and engaging. The word "baroque" keeps coming to mind, but I can't say that I know exactly what that means when pertaining to music. All the dictionary will tell me is: a style of musical composition that flourished in Europe from about 1600 to 1750, marked by chromaticism, strict forms, and elaborate ornamentation. Hmmm. The reason "baroque" keeps coming to my mind is this almost harpsichord like quality that the guitar tends to have, the string arrangemnets provided by cello and violin, and the french horn. "Elaborate ornamentation"? maybe. Further, the vocals have what I can only call an "old" quality to them. "1600 to 1750" might be a little older than I'm thinking, but the vocal delivery carries a "maturity" with it that almost seems out of place today. Motion Picture has given us a very nice follow up album that continues their string of underwhelming me in a good way; gentle, mopey pop without the melodrama and the self pity. Dare I say "intellectual mope pop"? Time to get some cognac

Track Listing:-

1 A Paper Gift
2 Alida
3 The First Name On Your Dance Card
4 Twisting The Apple Stem
5 A Wink and Curtsy
6 Song For Your Leave Taking
7 Me In Your Past Tense
8 Beside The Meadowgrass
9 Winter, 1988
10 A Girl's Last Daydream
11 Promising Young Actress

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reviews

Every Last Romance (2001)

"Underwhelming" typically isn't a compliment, but in the case of this CD it is meant in the best of ways. this album is so warm and soft sounding that before you know it 40 minutes has passed and it'