OnDeadWaves - OnDeadWaves

by Anthony Strutt

published: 21 / 7 / 2016

Label: Mute Records
Format: CD

Excellent debut album from label mates, James Chapman of Maps and singer-songwriter Polly Scattergood, who make more magic together with their new project OnDeadWaves than they do by themselves

Review

OnDeadWaves met when they played at the same Mute Records festival, and they decided to see if they could work together and here's the proof. The band consists of nugaze artist, James Chapman of Maps, and solo artist, Polly Scattergood. Polly normally treads on grounds similar to that of Tori Amos and Kate Bush, while James is Mute's new Vince Clarke as he likes to keep on moving forward and breaking new ground. 'Blackbird' - not a cover of the song from the Beatles' 1968 'White Album'-cries out as the opener. It is crafted very well, and James and Polly sound on it like an alternative Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra but it also retains the elegance of the much missed Mojave 3. 'Never Over' is seductively slow, as sexy as Mazzy Star, underscored and all the better for it. Their voices bleed together well like blood into water without thinning it down. 'California' is the best ever tribute to the Byrds that you have never heard, and 'Hollow', which is reminiscent of Nick Cave, is mystical and dark. 'Alice' shines like broken Bjork over gentle guitar, and is a heartbreaker for sure. 'Dead Balloons' is sung in the style that made me think Polly was very special when she came onto the scene a few years back. It is a song full of joy with a bounce to its tale. 'Blue Inside' is down played, and I can see many hands being held while the lights fade out over festivals while this shimmers over the crowd. 'Autumn Leaves' is sharp as broken splintered ice, another heartbreaker which cuts straight to the point. 'Jupiter' is upbeat, hazy and edgy. It borders on similar territory as the much missed Drugstore. 'Winter's Child' again breaks hearts, and this time is Spaghetti Western styled, with an added dash of beats, For me, this is the perfect collaboration.