Katie Noonan & The Captains
Emperor's Box Sony Music In 2003 Katie Noonan, along with brother Tyrone as part of George, received that years ARIA award for best new artist off the back of the mega seller 'Polyserena'. A successful and highly esoteric solo career as well as collaborations with her mum and Paul Grabowsky followed, and now sees Noonan embarking on what is perhaps her most eclectic release yet. Lush, dense but approachable, 'Emperor's Box' is one unusual, but highly rewarding listen, and I think that this is due to the co-production duties of Noonan and Nick Dadia who has The Boss, Stone Temple Pilots and Powderfinger to his credit. The sound that both have been able to glean from the superb Captains, bassist/keyboardist Stu Hunter, guitarist Cameron Deyell and drummer Declan Kelly in association with Noonan's own keyboard board work and that distinctive voice is almost other worldly, especially when the Australian Chamber Orchestra or the string quartet or horn section pop up with their quirky little fills. All over, Noonan's voice veers from operatic to tragi-pop to rock. If this all sounds somewhat schizo, you are not Robinson Crusoe, as Noonan herself admits that she is somewhat schizophrenic musically speaking, and 'Emperors Box' reinforces this beautifully. The opener Radar features space station guitars, Hammond, Wurlitzer and wonderful off beat sounds with a soaring voice that matches the truly organic sounds that only the latter can provide. Half In Water though is very breathy piece (initially) before ripping into an atypical rock chorus break before reverting. Very trippy! Noonan's operatic influences are nowhere more evident on the Don Walker co-write Page One, her nibs hitting and holding some big notes, over what sounds like a musical collision of a squillion instruments with guitars slugging it out over the strings who are slugging it out over the horns. Sounds messy on paper but it strangely works. I must say on first listen, I thought what the hell is going on here, with sounds all over the place. However, with each listen the little secrets in each song became more apparent. Problem is though that 'Emperors Box' is unlikely to receive mainstream radio airplay as it doesn't fit neatly into any one box and more's the pity for that audience. As such dear listener, having read thus far, suggests that you have a judicious musical taste and hopefully you, as I did, discover that with the cacophony of sounds and images that are presented on this release.  |
Issue 494
Music
