Morellas Forest - Tiny Lights Of Heaven

by Tommy Gunnarsson

published: 10 / 10 / 2002

Label: Endearing
Format: CD

Uninspiring indie power pop from the usually reliable Canadian record label, Endearing Records

Review

I have always been fascinated by the Canadian record label Endearing Records, ever since some years ago I came across one of their flyers. I was charmed then to find out that, as well as releasing records, they also print vegetarian recipes, not just on their flyers, but also on their homepage. A year or so later, they released the fabulous album 'Short-Term Memories' by the Salteens, an album full of marvellous pop melodies, handclaps and backing vocals that go “ba-ba-ba”. Who could say no to that? I couldn't anyway.... Apart from that Salteens release, I can’t say that I have heard that much of their repertoire, but their homepage tells me they have also released records by B’ehl, the Pets and Julie Doiron, which makes them okay in my book. So, it was with quite some expectation that I put Morella’s Forest’s new album, Endearing's latest release, in my CD-player, but , to be honest, I expected a little more than what is on offer. The first song, 'Running', reminds me a bit of a very popular Swedish pop girl singer called Lisa Miskovsky, but that’s not a good thing, trust me. Sadly, that’s the feeling I get from most of the songs on this album as well. I guess it is mostly because vocalist Sydney Rentz and the already mentioned Swede Lisa have quite similar voices, but also their music is in the same kind of “quasi-powerpop” style. Of course, it’s almost impossible for all of you not living in Sweden to relate to this comparison, so I guess I will have to come up with something a bit better, right? Hmmm, what can I say? I think the best comparison is modern day power-pop, but not like the one the Rubinoos and Big Star made in the 1970’s. No, more like Jellyfish and the bands released on the American Not Lame-label. And add to that female vocals. I think I am close enough now. Or maybe you should just visit their website at www.morellasforest.com and listen to a sample instead.