Sea The Sea - Love We Are We Love

by Malcolm Carter

published: 2 / 10 / 2014

Label: Sea The Sea
Format: CD

Captivating and inventive debut album from harmonic male-female folk pop duo, The Sea The Sea

Review

Letters falling over a dark, gloomy background hardly inspire you to pick up this album from American duo Chuck E Costa and Mira Stanley. But what must surely rank as one of the most dull album covers this year hides some compelling and vital music. ‘Love We Are We Love’ is the debut album by The Sea The Sea, although the duo formed in 2011, and while there seems to be an influx of male/female singer songwriters combining their talents just now what Costa and Stanley offer is just a little removed from any of their contemporaries. While it’s no surprise that their voices fit together perfectly (why else would they sing together?) what sets The Sea The Sea apart is the way they use those voices. They don’t just take a song and enrich it with heavenly harmonies, they don’t just trade lines with each other; it’s the small things like taking over vocals when it’s least expected (like switching vocals before a line is finished) that captures the listener. There’s also the fact that lyrically the duo don’t just touch on loves lost and found. Their songs, although easily interpreted differently by each listener, delve so much deeper than that. The album opens with the banjo-led ‘Re:Blah’. With just that lone instrument the song relies heavily on the vocals of Costa and Stanley, and as an opening taster of what is to come it’s a perfect choice. Their harmonies really do shine, their voices blend together as one; when Stanley joins Costa vocally (who takes the lead here) it really is a spine-tingling moment. One banjo, two voices and proof that sometimes less really is more. The song about loss of faith in those around us also displays the duo’s ability to express those fears and concerns we all feel at times. It’s a stunning start to an album that actually manages to impress more as it progresses. ‘Guess It Was’ adds more pop elements to that folky opening gem; with Stanley taking the lead her vocals reveal her attractive, slightly vulnerable, vocal style. Much like Costa’s vocals they sound at once both familiar yet fresh. It’s difficult to group either Costa or Stanley in with any other particular singer. While not pushing any boundaries, they are both exceptional singers and when they combine those voices that magic happens. The title track is one of those songs that’s impossible to get out of your head once you’ve heard it. While it’s far from annoyingly catchy, it can’t be denied that this song is going to eat its way into your head and stay there. With the duo sharing vocal duties the song not only confirms just how well their voices gel together it displays their talent for writing irresistible pop hooks and combining them into their own take on folk music. It also throws up a feeling that crops up throughout the album; at various times images or thoughts come into your head while listening to these songs that seem to have little to do with the actual song. I wasn’t the only one who thought of circles for some reason while listening to the title song. In other places visions of the sea appear (maybe no great surprise) but they tend to materialise when the lyrics don’t necessarily relate to those visions. It’s a strange but oddly satisfying experience. The loping bass that underpins ‘Fists Full of Flowers’ is another indication that The Sea The Sea are far from the usual male/female duos that admittedly are producing some fine music just now. The melodies just flow and are impressive; the delicate ‘Watertreader’ is another fine example where Costa and Stanley combine a beautiful melody with thought provoking lyrics. The way they sing “You left your key in the door/It wasn’t for the first time/So I let myself in wondering if what was yours is still mine” is simply heartbreaking. So much can be read into the lyrics of these songs, so many images are thrown up, the listeners perception of each song could change with almost change with each play. Special mention has to be made of ‘Boat Song’. The way the duo bounce words off each other is one of those magical moments. With another memorable melody, this song has just a little more sparkle in an album that is honestly full of little gems. Never judge an album by its cover then for ‘Love We Are We Love’ is one of those albums that it’s impossible not to fall in love with, its bright melodies, inventive use of instruments, two outstanding vocalists and thought-provoking lyrics make for a most rewarding musical journey.

Track Listing:-

1 Re: Blah
2 Guess It Was
3 Love We Are We Love
4 In the Dark
5 Fists Full of Flowers
6 Watertreader
7 If I Go (Chicago)
8 In My Pocket
9 In the Mirror
10 Boat Song
11 The Match
12 Waiting
13 Ten Thousand Birds