Built for the Sea - Mise en Scene

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 25 / 4 / 2009

Label: Built for the Sea
Format: CDS

Attractive, if sometimes underwhelming, blend of pop, college rock and country folk on new EP from San Francisco-based act, Built for the Sea

Review

The EP comes wrapped as a Christmas present on recycled paper using vegetable ink. This is an indication that we are dealing with considerate musicians, yet 'Mise en Scène' bears all the trademarks of a full-blown major record label release. Vocalist Lia Rose also plays the piano and her distinctive voice dominates this attractive blend of pop, college rock and country folk music. Not shy of implementing an emphatic sounding production, this is the kind of jingle-jangle that sounds great driving a car. 'Secret Stories' features Michael Fecskes's cello which is paired with Rose's piano. On it we get the first genuinely remarkable track from Built for the Sea. The EP format suits Built for the Sea very well. The absence of a sense of original direction is unperturbing, as 'Secret Stories' makes up for that. The band come from San Francisco, but their music resembles a certain type of music from Dorset, England.