Mark --

I'm guessing that there are a few list members (and my
main guess would be Stewart) who know a lot more about
them than me.  They are a trio, who became all the
rage in Britain with a series of dance-pop singles,
including a cover of Neil Young's "Only Love Can Break
Your Heart".  I keep meaning to delve into their
earlier stuff, and haven't yet.

The band has intermittently made steps more towards
straight pop music, with the dance elements moving
towards the background.  About four or five years ago,
they release Good Humour (which came out on Sub Pop
here).  If you like the poppy side of The Cardigans,
but not as giddy (or the Pet Shop Boys), this album is
highly recommended.  I wasn't as keen on the unfocused
follow up, The Sound Of Water.  This new album is also
pop with some dance overtones and sounds pretty good
on first impression.

Oh -- lead vocalist Sarah Cracknell has an utterly
engaging voice.  She has great phrasing.

Mike Bennett

--- Mark Eichelberger <markeichelberger@comcast.net>
wrote:

> Michael:
> I know you were trumpeting the Rivers' contibutions
> to the new Saint Etienne album, but your email
> piqued my interest in that group.  It seems that
> every MOJO, Q or Uncut contains a reference to them,
> so I imagine they are well known in the U.K., but I
> confess that I have never heard anything by them. 
> From those British-mag references, I gather they are
> somewhat dance-oriented.  
> 
> How would you describe them?  Other than the new
> one, is there any release you would recommend?
> 
> Thanks, 
> Mark E.
> 
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> 
> > I just got my copy of the latest Saint Etienne
> album, 
> > Tales From Turnpike House. I was immediately
> struck 
> > by the lush, harmony-laden background vocals. I 
> > looked at the liners and saw that David Bash faves
> 
> > Tony (ex-Castaways) and Anthony (Tony's son)
> Rivers 
> > were responsible for the arrangements. One of my 
> > favorite IPO memories was walking back to my hotel
> 
> > room at the Orchid Suites and hearing the Rivers'
> and 
> > a couple other band members rehearsing a Beach
> Boys 
> > song with perfect harmonies. 
> > 
> > Mike Bennett 
> > 
> > Chicago Pop Show Report on Yahoo Groups: 
> >
>
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagopopshowreport/?yguid=162827291
> 
> > 
> > Music reviews: http://www.fufkin.com 
> > 
> > My Space blog: http://blog.myspace.com/mrhonorama 
> 


Chicago Pop Show Report on Yahoo Groups: http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagopopshowreport/?yguid=162827291

Music reviews:  http://www.fufkin.com

My Space blog:  http://blog.myspace.com/mrhonorama