Sometimes the best creative work comes from moments of struggle and other life changing events that happen in our lives. Those struggles that bare our deepest human emotions and that forces us to deal with issues which plague our minds and hearts. These struggles are what Eugene, Oregon native Maci DeBlanc has pulled together so effortlessly on her debut Demos! – a short, four-song EP that she’s only recently taken to performing live for the first time. Playing classical piano at the tender age of 8, then taking up the drums at 12 and just recently started playing guitar, there’s no doubt to these ears that DeBlanc has indeed found her calling.
Recorded using Logic Pro X, with mixing and mastering done by Thaddeus Moore at Sprout City Studios in Eugene and at Real World Studios in Wiltshire, England, Demos! explores the darker ends of pop music. DeBlanc’s interest in metal fused with electronic and atmospheric techno, alongside her graceful voice, has been compared to the musical style of New Zealand singer/songwriter Lorde. On the opener “Fog” DeBlanc's message seems to say – get out of my life, the damage is done, leave! – but, my interpretation could be one of many. There is a great choice of a snare sound that I loved and again, DeBlanc’s voice fits so well with her style of music. “Criss Cross” has a fantastic beat and all the instruments come across strong. Not sure what this song is about – all I know is that I enjoyed it. “Anything” features DeBlanc’s wonderful classical piano inside the song’s introduction. This tune is slower and introspective – a coming to grips with how anxiety and other emotions can tear one up inside, perhaps? Or, leaving someone behind, aka the break up. The line, “and nothing can make me stay except the rain” – whoa! that’s some heavy stuff. Even the godfather of mope pop rock, Robert Smith of The Cure, would say, ‘dang, I wish I would of put that in a song.’ The last number “Burn” is just, well, wow... give it a listen because it’s good, quite good. The vocal harmony, the dark melody – it’s a fantastically beautiful song. As I’ve said before, Demos! is very well done and a strong debut too. With her writing and performing songs about very sensitive and personal issues, DeBlanc sounds confident and in command on this first effort.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Critique/insightWe are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.
Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook
Archives
April 2024
|