Maggi, Pierce And Ej - Silver

  by Andrew Carver

published: 22 / 12 / 2005

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'Silver' comes in a nifty package: Eighteen songs over three different CDs and a booklet in a sparkly silver package. The idea is that each CD represents a time of day – morning, midday and night – and a different style of music: Folk, pop and rock’n’roll. It might sound like a silly conceit, but the Philadelphia trio Maggi, Pierce and E.J. are more than talented enough to pull it off. Not only are the threesome one of the best folk rock groups around, they’re also one of the best power pop and hard rock groups around. Pierce and E.J. used to play with Philly hip-hoppers The Goats (noted for using a live band before The Roots did), while Maggi did the folky-coffeehouse circuit. Already adept when the band formed in the early 1990's, the band has sharpened its skills with a very busy live schedule and a slew of albums – 'Silver' is their sixth, not counting a compilation, 'Play Their Landlady’s Favourites', which was released last year. Thanks to the band’s dazzling musical versatility (everyone seems to play everything, and instrument-switching is apparently a regular part of their live show) and fabulous vocal harmonies, with Maggi’s warble blending beautifully with Pierce and E.J.’s warmer sound, almost every track is a treat. The first disc, 'Morgen', opens with 'Whale Song' - which reminded me of Motorpsycho’s later, more fragile stuff. It’s a beautiful composition with lovely harmonized “Oos” and intertwined guitars and piano. The dreamy, slightly funky vibe continues over all six songs. 'Kennison', the opener on the second disc 'Mittag', could be one of the better tracks on a Posies or Jason Falkner album. The disc as a whole is the ideal CD for bopping around the town or thinking about one’s favourite cutie. From 'A Moment' on through to rootsy closer 'Ezra’s Stove' it’s a delightful blend of energetic pop and folk rock. 'Mittag' does contain one slight misstep, a guest appearance by ex Goats rapper Maxx on 'Music of the Sea'. Not that he’s shy of skills, but after the singing of the central three it’s a bit ho-hum. The scratching contributed by DJ One Take Willie suits far better. 'Yippee-i-a', the first tune on the third CD 'Nacht', is a hard-charging roots rocker that bounds out of the gate like a bucking bronco, with Maggi’s smooth vocals riding easily over grinding and twanging guitar that shudders with tremeloe – and did I mention the chainsaw? Once again the CD is strong from start to finish, with cutting guitar, more of those excellent harmonies and some thumping percussion. 'InSeine' shows off the band’s already amply evident versatility with a jump from guitar overdrive to gently fingerpicked guitar. It’s the soundtrack from that night on the town you forget the morning after. In a word: Brilliant.

Track Listing:-

1 Whale Song
2 Michael
3 Melt Away
4 Castle Walls
5 Lies Behind The Sun
6 Big Falls, Wi
7 Kennison
8 Music Of The Sea
9 A Moment
10 Snowed In With You
11 Sea Of Green
12 Ezra's Stove
13 Yipee-I-A
14 One Hand
15 Pocahontas, Illinois
16 Inseine
17 String Of Pearls
18 706

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