Rosie Taylor Project - Twin Beds

by Anthony Strutt

published: 29 / 2 / 2012

Label: Oddbox Records
Format: CD

Likeable but over twee indie pop on second album from Leeds-based six-piece, the Rosie Taylor Project

Review

‘Twin Beds’ is the second album from Leeds indie pop six-piece, the Rosie Taylor Project. The album opens with ‘Twin Beds (One)’ which is a haunting, hazy Mazzy Star-style number upon which singer Jonny Davies’ vocals are half spoken. The charmingly twee ‘For Esme’ grabs the listener from the start with its trumpets, while Jonny’s vocals are reminiscent of those of Stuart Murdoch in a sparkly-sounding Belle and Sebastian. Jangly guitars meanwhile perfectly match the trumpets in fantastic fusion. ‘Every Morning (and the rest of our lives)’ has softly strummed guitars, sparkling vocals from Jonny which recall those of Anthony Reynolds in Jack and is summery in sound. ‘The Last Happy Writer’ is doom-laden indie pop on downers, while ‘Last Drinks at Niagara Bar’ has lush layers of trumpet and a wrist-slitting mournful vocal. ‘A Young Couple in the Street’ is more upbeat, sounding like a short Lee Hazlewood piece, while recent single ‘Sleep’ is a joyful, fast-paced indie pop number upon which the trumpets bring a glow. ‘Lovers or Something Like It’ is as crisp as a Monday morning in spring, a song that jumps out at the listener and tells you to love the world that you are in. ‘A Walk by Moonlight’ is a gentle folk-based number which, assisted by female vocals, also features a softly-strummed guitar, and an elegant bass and piano. When it does warm up, it is like a cinematic Belle and Sebastian. ‘Twin Beds (Two)’ sounds like a remix and is oddly reminiscent of the theme to ‘Alien’. ‘The Bluest Smile’ is a gentle piece with liquid-like vocals, while its jangly guitars bring a skip to it. The twelfth and final track is uncredited, a solo-delivered piece with a fast vocal. ‘Twin beds’ is a decent album, but far too twee for my ears.

Track Listing:-

1 Twin Beds (one)
2 For Esme
3 Every Morning (And For The Rest Of Our Lives)
4 The Last Happy Writer
5 Last Drinks At Niagara Bar
6 A Young Couple In The Street
7 Sleep
8 Lovers Or Something Like It
9 A Walk By Moonlight
10 Twin Beds (Two)
11 The Bluest Smile
12 Gloria

Band Links:-

https://therosietaylorproject.bandcamp
https://www.facebook.com/therosietaylo
http://www.rosietaylorproject.blogspot
http://therosietaylorproject.tumblr.co
https://twitter.com/rosietaylor