April Maze - The April Maze
by Lisa Torem
published: 27 / 2 / 2014
Label:
April Maze
Format: CD
intro
Unique 60’s-influenced harmonic pop on UK debut album from Australian cello/banjo duo and husband-and-wife team, the April Maze
On their self-titled UK debut, the April Maze, Australian husband and wife team, Silvan Agam, on vocals and cello and Todd Mayhew, on vocals, guitar and banjo, share a dozen touching arrangements. ‘Will I Ever’ is a slow, simmering call and response with airtight harmonies. Their voices are unarguably well matched and complimentary.“My memories get colder/There’s nothing left but to pray…” they preach with promise. ‘Oh, Yesterday’ allows Agam’s vocals and cello parts to merge magically. Mayhew’s effects make this brassy blues overflow with just the right amount of attitude from the main and backing vocals. ‘Don’t Let The Bastards Bring You Down’ also bursts with vitality and spurts of aggressive strums. ‘Tumbleweed’ – “Like a hungry sailor lost as sea…” When the guitar and vocals synch, the result is amazing, but the story line is also seductive. The payoff is when they sing, “Freedom is finally, finally here.” ‘I’ve Seen the Rain’ yields a sad and compelling melody and more of their signature sublime harmonies. In ‘Winter’, Todd demonstrates a fierce commitment to his sibling. 'The Protest Song’ is blissfully poignant. “Stand up for our rights and challenge all the wrongs,” they sing. It’s not your typical rendering given the title which makes it all the more effective. ‘Salt Water’ is beset by a lovely acoustic guitar progression, which unearths Agam’s tears. The cello has contagious drone. You’ll treasure this one to the last homesick sentiment. On ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face,’ the first of two Beatles covers, the April Maze display a fascinating twist on an unforgettable classic. The creeping cello makes it fugue-like and magical. ‘And We Danced’ – “I met my bebop baby on a ‘Hard Days Night’” – the duo make no pretense about their idols on this album – “She was hanging on to Johnny/She was holding on tight.” On the rhythmic ‘Strawberry Swing’ they pull a great deal from a rudimentary riff. The surprising harmonic shift is guaranteed to make you grin. ‘Two of Us’ finds them retaining the innocence of the original Beatles tune yet this cover is forceful and unique. If you want to revel in the 60s with a duo that understand what all the fuss was about, The April Maze is your go-to band.
Track Listing:-
1 Will I Ever2 Oh Yesterday (Wisdom Teeth)
3 The Protest Song
4 Tumbleweed
5 Where Do They Go
6 Deep in Your Heart
7 Crystal Ball
8 Salt Water
9 The Night Sailor
10 Aliens
11 Dirty Water
12 I Love This Life
Band Links:-
https://twitter.com/theaprilmazehttp://www.theaprilmaze.com/
https://www.facebook.com/aprilmazemusic
soundcloud
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart