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Recording:
  No Galore  
 
Artist:
  Faith Kleppinger  
 
Label:
  Two Sheds  
 
Release Date:
  10.August.2004  
 
Reviewed by:
  Tracers  
         
 
Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

Although No Galore is described as a solo recording by singer-songwriter Faith Kleppinger, this is a bit a of misnomer. You see, when I think "singer-songwriter", I imagine a claustrophobic recording with just the one person playing their primary instrument while singing behind it. Yeah, you may hear an occasional guest performer, but the focus is usually entirely on the main person. And you're basically left to judge things on songwriting and style of delivery alone.

In contrast, No Galore seems to be a more collaborative effort. Yes, Faith Kleppinger wrote and performs all the songs. However, she is backed by the same group of musicians on all of the songs. In this respect, then, No Galore is really a recording by an actual band, and believe it or not, this makes all the difference in the world.

For instance, in typical singer-songwriter form, the title track begins as a simplistic acoustic tune with the vocals way out front. But additional instruments (including some very nice drumming) quickly make their presences known. Subsequently, backing vocals come in to sing, "It's just a good, old-fashioned broken heart." This combination gives the music a resonance and a fullness that perhaps would have been missing without the band and makes No Galore the best track on the album.

Still other songs also show the influence of the increased instrumentation. As an example, Pickup, Blue includes a nice contradiction between the acoustic rhythm guitar and the electric, more melodic guitar. Similarly, Understudy Lines begins as a slightly generic song that improves dramatically once the rest of the band comes in. Finally, Ready Made begins with Kleppinger singing and strumming an acoustical guitar, which seems pleasant enough, but then some gentle electrical accompaniment comes in and acts as a 5 note counterpoint to her melody. Believe it or not, that simple act adds so much to the texture and richness of the overall song. And, as I said previously, it elevates the album as a whole.

Besides the afore-mentioned title track, there are two other truly standout songs on this album. The first, Another Room, starts in the same straight-forward acoustic manner, much like the songs I mentioned above. But then suddenly, there's a nice bass/guitar riff going on behind Kleppinger which balances out the intensity of her voice. Moreover, the occasional odd chord combination during this song gives it a lightly off-kilter feel, kind of like Neutral Milk Hotel, albeit fronted by a woman and without a theremin.

The other standout song, Gone Singin', is also the one song on No Galore that sounds very different from the rest. With its brushed drumming and all electric backing instrumentation, it feels a bit like Exile in Guyville-era Liz Phair. And, with this ostensible increase in volume, Kleppinger's singing changes noticeably. Instead of being more introspective, her voice seems more confident and open. An yet, despite this, the generally subdued tone of Gone Singin' fits in well with the rest of the album.

All in all, I have to say that I enjoy No Galore more than I did Kleppinger's previous Two Sheds release. The addition of a stable group of recording musicians adds touches to the songs which enrich their structure. Furthermore, vocally, it seems like Kleppinger delivers her music in a more easy manner. Taken together, No Galore is more driving and certainly less claustrophobic, and this serves Faith Kleppinger and her future well.

 
         
 
Related Links:
 

Asleep in the Well, Ms. Kleppinger's debut album.

 
         

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