Emporium - Silver Brainwaves
by Carl Bookstein
published: 23 / 7 / 2011
Label:
Platform Whimsical
Format: CD
intro
Sublime 1960's-influenced pop on reissue of 2005 fourth album from Edinburgh-based band, Emporium
'Silver Brainwaves', the inspired 2005 album from the Edinburgh based band Emporium, has just been re-released. Formed in 1998, Emporium centres on the songwriting of singer Ewan McKenzie. 'Silver Brainwaves', the band’s fourth studio effort is melodic pop, shimmering and engaging, exploring a similar direction to the work of bands like the High Llamas. The song 'The Feeling' is warm and welcoming, very nostalgic and very 1960s, echoing the musical beauty of that classic era. The lyric expresses mixed emotions: “Something unseen is tugging at me… the feeling is dying.” Cautious optimism nevertheless accompanies an upbeat sound: “We’re looking for better days.” 'Dice Man' explores a repeated theme of luck on the album: “Go with the flow… Any way that you play, you just can’t lose.” Meanwhile, the sound, with lovely harmonies and layered instrumentation, brings to mind the influence of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys. 'Wasted' expresses hints of melancholy, while 'Blackened Blue” is moody and thought provoking. 'Mind Games' is likewise a sombre tune, with distinctive piano playing. The lyric reflects the tone: “Still the storm’s inside my head/It will linger till I’m dead.” Emporium’s work has received some notable critical acclaim and their songs are at once sun-soaked, trippy and enchanting. Like the High Llamas, their music is more indicative of the 1960s and California than either the current charts or their U.K. home. 'Wild Star' tells the story of a shining girl who, burning brightly, “torched the heavens every night.” 'Mystic Angela' is distinctive psychedelic-tinged pop with flowing instrumentation. The band meanwhile captures a healthy touch of magic in the sound they create. 'Sixes and Sevens' is the mellifluous closer, returning to the subject of luck: “You can rest in heaven/You can toast in hell/It’s all sixes and sevens/How we know it so well.” In the end, 'Silver Brainwaves' is a novel effort from Emporium and a worthy re-release.
Track Listing:-
1 Intro2 The Feeling
3 Dice Man
4 Wasted
5 Blackened Blue
6 Whimsical Theme
7 Mind Games
8 Wild Star
9 Rock for Sand
10 Fragments of Knowledge
11 Mystic Angela
12 Baby Invisible
13 Sixes and Sevens
Band Links:-
https://www.youtube.com/user/Platformwhimsicalhttps://www.facebook.com/mckenzieemporium
Label Links:-
https://twitter.com/platformsongshttp://www.platformrecords.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/PlatformRecordsUK
http://www.platformsync.co.uk/
http://www.last.fm/label/Platform+Records+UK
soundcloud
reviews |
The Afterlife (2013) |
Excellent final album from diverse and recently disbanded Edinburgh-based group, Emporium |
most viewed articles
current edition
Beat Featuring Ranking Jnr - Sala Jerusalem, Valencia, 18/2/2024X Ray Spex - Interview
London Afrobeat Collective - 16 Toneladas, Valencia, 21/2/2024
Dead Poet Society - Photoscapes
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Photoscapes
Happy Mondays - Photoscapes
Paloma Faith - Photoscapes 2
Stiff Little Fingers - Photoscapes
Paloma Faith - Photoscapes 1
Byrds - Every Album, Every Song
most viewed reviews
current edition
Black Crowes - Happiness BastardsKaiser Chiefs - Kaiser Chiefs' Easy Eighth Album
Texas and Spooner Oldham - The Muscle Shoals Sessions
Caity Baser - Still Learning
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Libertines - All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade
Sheryl Crow - Evolution
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for Bread
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart