Eleni Mandell
Miracle Of Five
Shock


From the opening bars of Eleni Mandell's sugary sweet album 'Miracle Of Five', you could well be mistaken for thinking you were listening through His Master's Voice gramophone, as you are whisked through an aperture in time and left floating in the delights of an era long gone. You almost expect to hear the scratch of the needle on the record as you are serenaded by Mandell's sultry tones.

Softly spoken lyrics overlay sweetly strummed guitar, resulting in a sound that is a cross between an offbeat music box dancer and a somewhat more contemporary waltz. The influence of 20th century jazz and blues musicians, to whom Mandell credits her mother for introducing her, can clearly be heard throughout the album. Mandell's lyrics are delicate and seemingly simple, yet enriched by metaphorical undertones that allude to the darker side of her songwriting.

Despite an analogous theme to the album, each track is distinguished by subtle variations in tempo and instrumental accompaniment. The diverse instrumental contributions are provided by numerous guests, including Wilco's lead guitarist Nels Cline, X's DJ Bonebreak and the president of Epitaph records, Andy Kaulkin, who also produced the album. Reed instruments are impeccably implemented to accentuate the mood and reinforce the jazz element of the album. Tracks range from the seductively alluring serenades Moonglow Lamp Low, My Twin and Miss Me, to the breathy, sweetly spoken tales recited in Salt Truck and Miracle Of Five.

This album is Mandell's sixth release and sees a transgression from previously melancholic chronicles to a relatively sanguine theme. Considering the autobiographical context of her songwriting, the changing content is not surprisingly a reflection of developments in her personal life. The sincerity of both pleasure and angst within the lyrics has been brilliantly captured by Kaulkin and Rob Schnapf (also responsible for mixing Elliott Smith). The result is an ethereally beautiful collection of tracks. An excellent album for late night listening with a bottle of red wine and someone to share it with...

Suzi Gunn