Purson - The Circle & the Blue Door
Time to go back down the rabbit hole! Named after a demon, and fronted by the ever intoxicating Rosalie Cunningham (of Ipso Facto fame), Purson have delivered a record overflowing with occult referencing psychedelic rock with a strong 70s feel. At times it feels like listening to Curved Air through one ear and Deep Purple through the other, all whilst watching a Tim Burton movie. If that description alone is enough to seduce you then prepare yourself for a suitably captivating journey through ‘The Circle & the Blue Door’.
The song writing on show here is nothing short of brilliant with only minor hiccups in derivation hindering this from being a perfect debut. Purson show a maturity of song writing that is remarkable for a band of their age. The tempo patterns here are natural and provide key markers of change throughout the record not often found on usually clunky debuts. From the opening lullaby tones of ‘Wake Up Sleepy Head’, to the little musical transitions that segue one track into the next, it is clear this is a record that is supposed to be listened in full from beginning to end.
Cunningham’s vocals grasp at several strings of emotion as she switches between powerful and commanding presence to soft and tender melancholy with minimal effort. She has a vocal style reminiscent of Sonja Kristina or Ann Wilson with a similar charisma. Her lyrics are formalised and often sung in the third person with a very storybook narration feel at times. But don’t let this apparent rigidness mislead you into thinking everything here will be incredibly monotone. Cunningham provides so many soaring vocal moments (’The Contract’ and ‘Spiderwood Farm‘ to name just two) that it’s hard not to be impressed by her immense vocal range.
There are so many standout tracks here that it is hard to recommend just one or two favourites. Lead single ‘Leaning On A Bear’ is clearly one of the strongest with a punchy guitar riff, strong vocal melodies, upbeat tempo, stellar drumming and Doors style keyboard. But then we have tracks like the folk-rock of ‘Tempest And The Tide’ or the equally impressive closer ‘Tragic Catastrophe’ that are equally as strong.
Some really nice bluesy elements are also introduced in later tracks most notably with ‘Sapphire Ward’. There is a lovely interchange of tempo here between the dirty blues guitar and the tender vocal of Cunningham as both challenge each other for central focus. Only ‘Well Spoiled Machine’ really outstays its welcome by being a little overlong but overall you can’t fault it for much more than that.
It would be easy for a record like this to fall into the trap of being overly flat but here the production and mix just add to breathe life into these already fantastically written songs. You can tell a lot of love and attention has gone into creating this record.
Long before the last track has played its final note you will already be planning your next visit to this dark yet enchanting musical world. ‘The Circle & The Blue Door‘ is thoroughly addictive listening. Rosalie Cunningham is simply bewitching and judging by this debut effort she and Purson have already developed their own winning concoction of black magic to win over the crowd.
copas from http://www.virgin.com/music/reviews/purson--the-circle-the-blue-door
Tracklist:
01. Wake Up Sleepy Head (2:06)
02. The Contract (4:11)
03. Spiderwood Farm (5:09)
04. Sailor's Wife's Lament (4:00)
05. Leaning On a Bear (3:27)
06. Tempest and the Tide (5:06)
07. Mavericks and Mystics (3:48)
08. Well Spoiled Machine (5:09)
09. Sapphire Ward (5:03)
10. Rocking Horse (4:26)
11. Tragic Catastrophe (5:21)
TKP
password : my nymph
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