“I
feel like it’s my birthday or something…I guess it’s my album’s birthday,”
remarked Aoife (pronounced “ee-feh”) O’Donovan sheepishly at the early show
Tuesday at Mercury Lounge. She later commented that after YEARS of playing
shows under her name in NYC, it’s nice to, “finally have something to sell.”
She’s referring to her debut album Fossils, which is a full band effort that
harnesses her sharp, yet breathy vocals with a genre bending sound that ranges
from upbeat Alison Krauss country rock, the folk beauty of old-school Jewel, to
singer-songwriter ballads in the vein of an inebriated Norah Jones.
Fossils is chock full of
really catchy melodies and a genuine sensibility that shall, if you choose to let it, slather itself into the nooks and crannies of your life. I'm telling you right now, if you hit play, it may not be much of a choice, so listener be warned!!?
O’Donovan
was the lead singer of an alternative bluegrass band called Crooked Still, who
have produced high energy tours and innovative acoustic instrumentation for
over 10 years. They recently disbanded to pursue solo projects. I discovered Aoife
as part of the Chris Thile umbrella, laying down scintillating vocals on The
Goat Rodeo Sessions (a super-band with Thile, Yo Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, etc,
etc), as well as Noam Pikelny’s latest solo album, Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail. I saw her perform as part of the
Punch Brothers Super Pass Day 2, closing out 2012 at Bowery Ballroom, to which
I reviewed coyly, “And
Aoife told stories and wrote songs, much in the way the Punch Brothers do that
involve an adult beverage or seven throughout, which tends to tug at my soul oh
so gently. Keeping me eternally warm and fuzzy.”
I
came to Mercury Lounge with one particular song in my head that resonating
eternally clear since that fateful January 30th evening at Bowery. I
remembered it was this sweet little ditty about sticking your toes in the sand,
being sung to sleep on the beach and being warm and seeing stars (bonus points
for this KILLER double entendre?) romantic on the 4th of July. It’s
one of those times when you hear a song and it just cuts you to the core with a
visceral hug of addiction. You HAVE to hear that song again. I was waiting for
it all set, and was starting to wonder if somehow, this amazing song kind of
missed her “cut” if you will? That would be TRAGIC!?!?! Turns out, she saved it
for the end of her set, and even brought out fellow Thile umbrella-er, from
Nickel Creek, Sara Watkins to help her out. The song is called “Red & White
& Blue & Gold” and it’s just so pretty. One of the most heartwarming,
lost in a moment you can’t control, songs I’ve ever heard. Just a gem.
“Come on lie next
to me
I’ll sing you to
sleep, I’ll sing you to sleep,
There’s a band on
the boardwalk, you’re tapping your feet
But I’m too drunk
to daaaaaaance
Black and blue all
on my face, I wanna follow you home
I wanna see your
place
I wanna take you in
my arms, float down a river with you
I wanna buy the
farm
Swoon.
Stay still sensitive Zerfas heart.
She
recently had her track “Beekeeper” (also a title of a FANTASTIC Punch Brothers
song) featured on iTunes as the “free download of the week.” Good press and an
even better song. It’s one of those songs that will convey instantaneous
emotional investment. It seems heavy from the incarnation and lyrics like “I
wanna know all of the ribs in your cage/two by two, part of me lives in you and
I’m a goddamn fool/just make your move, or get out of the game.” I look at it
as a compelling song about the chase, and the ride you take throughout that
whole process. And, if you’re anything like me, it’s quite a process. The song,
like the process, seems to topsy-turvy itself giving power to each side of the
narrative in a true push-pull result tally of sort. God, I hate being so
emotional, but I love how she seems to soundtrack this maniacal moment to song,
in such a visceral, yet down to Earth and realistic way.
The
song that to me shows her range as a vocalist is “Pearls,” a song that, to me,
plays off like a more complete “Fashion Coat” by The National. The song builds
and builds in a methodical folk-rock song with elegantly stretching breathy
vocals like a rubber band. Around the 3:10 mark in the song, there is a
dramatic turn and she majestically sings the hook in a way I can’t get out of
my head. It’s just so damn pretty…
“everywhere I wanna go
you’re never where
I wanna go”
Which
directly links to me to the aforementioned favorite National hook, from the
album Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers…
“Everywhere I am is just another thing
Without you in it”
The
song range of Fossils is dynamic in
genre as well as instrumentation, with a shit-ton of variety including: Guitars,
banjo, lap steel, pedal steel, accordion, fiddle, trumpet, Wurlitzer,
mellotron, organ, and “Oh, Mama” even has what’s been billed as a “bourbon
choir?”
Schlotzsky’s
Deli has a slogan: Funny name, serious sandwich. I can’t help but think of that
when I see the name Aoife O’Donovan. Her sister sings on the album too, with
the name Fionnuala O’Donovan. I want to make name tags at that family
reunion?!!? Perhaps her parents are Bob and Mary or something and have much
childhood drama about having common folk names. Anyway, the album is a serious,
legit, must have piece of art for the summer. July 4th is coming up.
Dig your toes into the sand, water and THIS ALBUM!
(It’s
only 6.99 on iTunes.)
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