Dark and smoky, Acoustic Philosophy (http://www.acousticphilosophy.com) produce folk music for Gotham City.
The enigmatic vocals of Phil Celia echo the nocturnal brooding of Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, and Jim Morrison, but the arrangements have a less sinister flair.
As advertised by their name, Acoustic Philosophy take a stripped-down approach; however, this is no boring unplugged device. Guitarist Celia, bassist Eric Richardson, and percussionist Steve Ferraris have an electrifying chemistry; like the Violent Femmes more than twenty years ago they're able to "rock" with the most mellow of instruments.
The African-styled drum beats recall early Santana and War, giving the songs an exotic flavor simply because those percussive sounds have been out of fashion for so long. Here's a case where a retro style does feel fresh and cutting edge.
|
Celia's voice perfectly matches the film noir grooves of his mates. On "Fallen Star," there is a shadowy beauty to his voice that is truly mesmerizing. On "Hungry for You," his downbeat Lou Reed-ish delivery complements the ominous bass. "Open Sky" reveals his versatility, recalling the bluesy crooning of Mark Lanegan.
|
