Celebration - The Modern Tribe
by Andrew Carver
published: 22 / 11 / 2007
Label:
4AD
Format: CD
intro
Sophisticated and adventurous pop on second album from Baltimore trio Celebration whose singer Katherine Ford's vocals conjures up memories of Siouxsie during her 'Rapture' era
A Baltimore band with a distinguished musical history and strong ties to a number of popular acts on the indie music scene, Celebration draws on a wealth of past influences, highly talented members and a bevy of well-connected friends to create a fascinating smorgasbord of sophisticated and adventurous pop. The husband-and-wife team of Sean Antanaitis and Katherine Ford has an interesting history. The duo began in oddball blood-spurting noise-punks Jaks and went on to form Bauhaus aficionados Love Life, where they picked up drummer Dave Bergander en route to becoming Celebration. Ford’s voice is the band’s most versatile tool, easily conjuring memories of Siouxsie Sioux’s ‘Rapture’-era singing over a sultry bed of Antanaitis glittering organ and Bergander’s skittering drums on opener ‘Evergreen’. On ‘Pony’ she shuttles easily between a breathy gasp and a throaty croon. Ford has also sung on several TV On The Radio songs; TV on the Radio producer David Sitek manned the helm for Celebration’s debut and returns for ‘Tribe’. All of the band’s members guest at one point or another. Her bandmates have similarly vital roles to play: Antanaitis gives the backing music a cabaret flavour with a parade of organs (though he does break out the guitar on ‘Pony’ and a few other tunes), while Bergander twitching and prancing percussion moves the songs onto the dance floor. A host of guest musicians garnish the whole with helpings of brass (Stuart Bogie’s tenor sax is a particular standout). The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Nick Zinner also chips in guitar on a pair of tracks. ‘The Modern Tribe’ is a must-have for TV On The Radio fans. Admirers of the Pleasure Forever/Slaves/VSS axis, the Banshees and other late-night new wavers should also find it up their alley.
Track Listing:-
1 Evergreen2 Pressure
3 Heartbreak
4 Pony
5 Fly the Fly
6 Tame the Savage
7 Hands Off My Gold
8 In This Land
9 Comets
10 Wildcats
11 Our Hearts Don't Change
Label Links:-
http://www.4ad.com/https://www.facebook.com/fourad/
https://twitter.com/4AD_Official
https://plus.google.com/explore/4AD
most viewed articles
current edition
Simon Heavisides - Destiny Stopped Screaming: The Life and Times of Adrian BorlandIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.
Jack Roscoe - Interview
Liam Gallagher and John Squire - Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 16/3/2024
Nico - Profile
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
Sami Sumner - Interview
The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Editorial - May 2024
Zombies - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadIan Hunter - Defiance Part 2: Fiction
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Kula Shaker - Natural Magick
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Vampire Weekend - Only God Was Above Us
Hillbilly Moon Explosion - Back in Time
Beyonce - Cowboy Carter
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Dark Rainbow
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