Upbeat, yet melancholy, electropop
by
peanutsnraisins
4.5 stars
If you've heard other albums by Naomi, The Big Shapes is more like Aquarium than either Tweak or Pappelallee. There's less sampling, no instrumental tracks, and more traditionally structured songs than you'll find on the more downtempo earlier releases, but it still has that edge that infuses any album by Naomi. The songs are upbeat with a strong undercurrent of melancholy. Great for when you need music that's bouyant without being cloying, peppy but not especially cheerful.
If you love the tracks "Needle on the Record" and "Another Bite of the Apple" from Aquarium, you'll like much of Big Shapes, too. My favorites are "Dragon Tree", "Sleep", and "Hello Fever".
Incidentally, there's an EP with an extended version of "Morning Belle" which I like better than the album version found here.
another winner from naomi
by
dj prozac
sometime after their second album "pappalalle," i declared naomi to be the simon & garfunkel of the 21st century with their dark themes set to sweet harmonies. this theme definitely continued through "aquarium" and their latest, "the big shapes."
where "the big shapes" differs, however, is in many of the ways it references back to the sample and guest vocalist-laden "everyone loves you," their first album and one that was recorded before naomi had fully conceived their trademark sound. and while guest artists aren't taking center stage on "the big shapes," one only has to give a listen to nico's big guitar chords slamming through "candy floss" to be reminded of "butter worker" off of the first album or notice the simiarities between "sleep" and "girlfriend."
what sets "the big shapes" apart from naomi's other albums it seems to be more of a concept album with various themes repeating themselves throughout the songs and little references that are woven through the tracks like leit motifs (e.g. dragon trees). the music itself, of course is highly listenable in true naomi fashion and once again they present their themes that slice like a razor with sweet voices.
naomi is a band that deserves far greater recognition than they've received so far. maybe we'll see "the big shapes" break through and a long-awaited world tour as the result.
a guy can dream, right?
