The press release for the Moulettes' eponymous debut album calls it, “The most ambitious “folk” album you’ll hear all year,” with the word folk conspicuously surrounded by quotation marks. The statement couldn’t be truer on most accounts. Though at first glance you may be tempted to label this album a folk album or to call the band a purveyor of the new folk movement, the Moulettes can’t be shuffled into a single category so easily. On their debut they offer hints of classic rock, classical music and, strangest of all, big band jazz. The disc plays out a bit like a concept album, following the narrative driven lyrics of a witch (for lack of a better word) as she spews clever hexes and tells the tales of lover’s scorned and devilish love affairs. But the Moulettes' two female vocalists aren't the kind of garish witches that we normally associate with the title, instead they're pretty British girls with pleasant sopranos.
The stars of the Moulettes' debut aren't the storybook lyrics or the odd combination of sounds, but rather Hannah Miller and Georgina Leach, the vocalists and lead instrumentalists. While Miller and Leech harmonize with chilling effect on their band's debut, they simultaneously concoct their folksy cocktail with Miller on cello and Leach on violin. I can see where you'd think that my description of their music thus far may sound a little intimidating at first; but have no fear, the Moulettes are more whimsical than daunting. The album’s opening track, “Recipe for Alchemy” begins with the solemn sounds of the violin, the cello and a chorus of eerie harmonies. Suddenly though, the stand up bass kicks in (or is that a basoon?) and leads a sudden rhythm change. Before you know it, the vocals become decidedly jazzy and the pounding drums lead to a sudden urge to hit the dance floor. Not the usual reaction that you get from folk music, to say the least. The lyrics on the opening track set the table for what we will get on the rest of the album as well. The title of the track basically explains the set up, “Let’s start cooking up a recipe,” Miller sings, “Every single layer of alchemy that you see.”
The songs on the album are versatile as well as inventive. “Cannibal Song” is a mischievous hoedown, while “What a Way to Spend a Day,” slows things down and shares a rare tender moment. One of the true gems of the album is the epic “Devil of Mine.” Beginning with a chilling atmospheric intro, Miller whispers about her devilish love affairs and by the time the song reaches its welcoming chorus, the vocals are greeted by finger snapping percussion and a steady beating drum. The song is definitely one of the highlights of the album, and, just like every other song here, it easily fits into the theme and continuity of the record. By the time the album comes to its inevitable end, we are given the most jazzy and danceable song on the LP, the aptly titled “Going a’ Gathering.” Recalling the eerier moments on the album, the song begins with a moment of angelic harmonizing before breaking in to a string lead rendition of a ‘40s era swing song, with a little trumpet solo towards the end just for good measure. It’s like ending an enthralling story with a Rogers and Hammerstein group dance number.
There’s not a lot of bad to things that can be said about the Moulettes' debut full length. It’s highly original and yet maintains its accessibility despite the fact that it’s really like nothing you’ve probably ever heard before. Though lyrically it helps if you have a taste for the macabre, the songs are so undeniably unique and well crafted that it’s hard not to like this band. With splendid vocal harmonization, great songwriting and a flat out wildly original concept, the Moulettes have given us what may be the best debut of 2010.
"Moulettes" is on sale August 24, 2010 from Balling the Jack.
