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The Heavenly StatesThe Heavenly States Baria/MGM I really, really hate digitally tweaked vocals. Call me a stubborn old traditionalist, but in my opinion those who can't sing have two choices: turn those limitations into a stylistic choice (like John Lydon, say, or The Fall's Mark E Smith), or step away from the microphone. Perhaps it's the (equally implausible) toupee argument - you only notice the bad ones - but there's a certain unnatural quality digital tweakage brings out: perfect intervals and unwaveringly held notes with no slurs, no blue notes - and no personality. It might work for Cher, but it ruins The Heavenly States. Their mix of indiekid violin and emotive guitar is warm and inviting, evoking everything from late period Go Betweens to The Weakerthans, and it sounds as though Ted Nesseth's voice would have the same breathy, cracked charm as, say, Paul Dempsey... if only it hadn't been so obviously fed through a computer. Under any other circumstance opener Beyond The Great Beyond would be one of my songs of the year, but Nesseth's digitial croon just gets me madder and madder. Luckily the chirpy vocals of violinist Genevieve Gagon save The Heavenly States from being flung out of the window (cf: the Clouds-ian charm of her lead vocal showcase Gin & Tonic). I bet the 'States would kill live - Carwash would tear any venue a new one - and one could only imagine what a fortnight with a producer like Dave Fridmann would achieve, but as long as Nesseth shuns his real voice in favour of the computer duet of Cumulous To Nebulous, I'm not holding my breath for a great record.  |
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