Chasing Pandora - Running in Circles

  by Lisa Torem

published: 7 / 11 / 2009

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Review

Melissa Portelli, vocalist, and Keith Anthony, guitarist and vocalist, both from Gozo, Malta, blend their talents together in this four track EP. In 2007 the band topped Maltese radio and CD charts with the single ‘Feel The Rain.’ The duo also received acclaim for their second single ‘Memories’ – both singles were featured on their debut album, ‘Mocking the Mocking Bird.’ Tragedy struck when Portelli’s 27 year old brother was murdered. But, shaken and shattered as she was by this event, Portelli purged her soul and poured all her emotions into this classic. Using scant percussion and beautifully landscaped strings and keys, Portellli and Anthony perform gently translucent and meandering melodies. What immediately sprung to mind after hearing Portelli’s voice, was Tori Amos and her confessional observations. Portelli’s voice is tender and believable – a perfect tour de force for this folk-pop idiom. Anthony’s guitar work is beguillingly executed. Together they are cut from the same luxurious cloth. "We’re stuck in this question that we’re both asking/Will you face your fears/You know I’ll keep on running/Are you running with me out of here?" asks ‘Running In Circles.’ ‘I Know’ sets forth a tone of unbridled blues while ‘No One Else’ asks, "If silence comes my way/Leaves me in a dark place/You’ll save me from yourself, no one else." ‘Noisy Spaces’ is the most poignant detailing Portelli’s thoughts about unexplored love: "Sweet, sweet man, let your feelings unwind./You got to sleep with vengence, with the voices in your mind/ Between all the noisy spaces." The lyrics pose introspective questions, but Portelli and Anthony don’t spoon-feed us pat answers. ‘Running In Circles’ provides ample space for reflection even as we’re standing still..

Track Listing:-

1 Running In Circles
2 No One Else
3 I Know
4 Noisy Spaces