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Heart
10/09/2003 3:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Mike Lipton
Following up--and surpassing--the absolutely gorgeous Nightsongs, this Canadian foursome uses subtle sonic touches to enhance a collection of love songs that is second to none. Expanding its pallet considerably, the group weaves and incorporates like-minded influences like Saint Etienne, Trembling Blue Stars, and the Smiths even more succinctly and creates soundscapes that, by turns, hypnotize ("Look Up"), caress ("The Woods"), and even flex a bit of rhythmic--and dreamy--pop muscle ("Death To Death"). The title track, with principals Torquil Campbell and Chris Seligman trading vocals, showcases the band's completely artful touch of combining a stunning melody (with Seligman's gentle vocal recalling Australia's Paul Kelly), instrumentation (an other-worldly French horn), a bit of electronics and production. The group's ear for utilizing sounds and instruments shines on "Look Up." The blend is spellbinding and intoxicating - from the brass and string ensemble to the driving, circular rhythms. You'd be hard-pressed to ask much more from a record.
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