Looking for Coco

My sister-in-law has released a new album - Looking for CoCo. You can find her blog here. In short, this is a solid album from a mature artist, best listened to at high volume or in the close confines of good headphones.

I really should listen to albums in more settings before deciding what I think of them.

The first time I heard Looking for Coco was in my less than dodgy car stereo, ferrying my wife, son and weeks old daughter to the shops. My mind clearly not on the job, and the stereo most definately not up to the task, I was less than impressed. It's alright, I thought, but it won't set the world on fire. Her voice hasn't changed much, and the music isn't challanging. There is no complexity, no hidden gems for the attentive listener, and the marriage of music and lyrics seems more like a distant relative than an intimate relationship. Somehow I was expecting, hoping, for something much more.

As it turns out, I was just listening in the wrong setting.

Click the post title to continue reading...Now, I won't say that I was totally wrong - there are some things that continue to annoy me. They are, however, much fewer than I originally thought.

I next heard the album on our home stereo. I intended to listen more intently this time, knowing I needed to write this review. Distraction, children, and chores conspired against me, and again I came away uninspired. Finally, I took a copy to work and listened through my Philips SBC HP 200 headphones.

Finally, it all came alive.

Coralie's voice had the depth and character I so desired. At times she soars as high as faint whispery clouds, beautifully barely there, an acoustic reflection of purity and grace. At times it is tinged with pain and character, displaying her growth and muturity. In a modern pop world that favours immature, processed voices, her vocals are refreshingly rounded and balanced.

The lyrical content reflects the album's (and the final track's) title. Here are my experiences, she says, and this is what I think of them. Here I am. This is who I am, and who I am in God. She is gracefully honest, rather than blatently. Nothing offensive or shocking, just a plain presentation of her heart and struggles. Nothing is needlessly hidden nor presented. I'm convinced she believes what she's singing. This is not "Christian Music", it is music by a Christian.

The music too finally revealed what I missed: complexity and depth. In the close confines of headphones the parts separated. The common interjectory bass solos, percussion, and gorgeous 'cello of Emma West on My Child, all add to the pleasure. There is much to dig out of the tracks. One of my original frustrations that still stands however is that in places the music overpowers the vocals. It seems overly strong for the tender, self-revealing lyrics. Musically, dynamics are provided almost exclusively through orchestration, with any dynamics in the main vocal not similarly accompanied.

Special mention must be made of the track 5, Little Feet. Mourning over an unusual topic for pop, a lot is drawn out in an appropriately brief track.

At nine songs and only 32 minutes Looking for CoCo is surprisingly short, but despite its length it doesn't lack impact. This is a solid album from a mature artist, with both beautiful songs and challanging topics. Well worth a listen.

Looking backwards, looking forward...

Paul Simon again provides inspiration for a post...

Yesterday it was my birthday.
I hung one more year on the line.
Well, not really. It was the day before yesterday. I meant to post this yesterday, but was just too lazy!

I should be depressed, my life's a mess
Again, no, not really. My life is certainly not a mess, in fact, it could be said that it's looking up, professionally and spiritually.

But I'm having a good time
I'm constantly amazed that these two can be divorced! Am I having a good time? hmmm. On the most part yes...

Click the post title to continue reading why...Why isn't my life a mess? I can think of a number of reasons:

• I'm finally leaving my current job.
  Over the 20 or so months I've spent here, I've seen and experienced some rather dodgy practices. Like changing dates on transactions in order to maximise tax benefits. It could be legal, it could not be. Either way, I'm not prepared to live in the gray.
  
  
• My next job will not only be a relief financially, but also a step up in responsibility. Actually, it's pretty much everything I wanted in a new job. Interesting technical challanges, $$$, Team Leadership, less hours (I currently get paid for about 85% of what I work now). It's a small company, which is a bummer, but at least they are not under investement funding - which is a real bonus!
  
  
• Life with two kids is a challange.
  You kind of expect your life to change when you go from being a couple to having one child. Nobody tells you that going from one to two is just as big a change! Zoe is 10 weeks old today. Everyday I thank God that we've got her this far, and indeed she seems to be growing and changing. Her smile is just wonderful! Her big bro is wonderfully loving with her, although at three he thinks he can do more than he can really safely do, resulting in frustration all round! A challange, but not one I'd pass up any day.
  
  
• God is moving!
  Oh, yes. Definately yes. I'll post more about this later, but needless to say that He is definately speaking into my life right now, and its not the usual (or expected), "You have to clean this up!" It's love, and overwhelming grace.

I'm definately having a good time! The only thing missing is my development as a musician. Its frustrating, that I can't seem to devote time even to practice. Perhaps, when things have settled a bit with the new job, and the kids, I'll see more of the way forward.