| DALET-YOD From The Hands of Lilith |
There's nothing more difficult to review than a CD which almost succeeds. There are lots of adjectives to describe the outstanding; there are even more to describe the Truly Awful. But what do you say about a CD which is good but which should have been great? Dalet-Yod's "From the Hands of Lilith" is a good CD, at times an exceptional CD, but one which never quite reaches greatness. It's an B+ effort from an A+ band; not the breakthrough it could have been, but still solid, entertaining and worthwhile. Vocalist Michala Kazda and multinistrumentalist Steve Piscione are both top-notch musicians. More important, they have excellent chemistry and support each other well. It's obvious that they've been playing together for some time and work well as a unit, particularly as a songwriting unit. This is something which only comes with long hours of practice and performance. They aren't just talented individuals; they are comfortable playing together and have learned how to complement the other's strengths and weaknesses. All too often Shoegazer tunes degenerate into a muddy mess: songs like "Spindle" and "Captive" move along briskly thanks to tight percussion and excellent bass work from Piscione and Joel Hickman. I was especially impressed by "Divination," a song which shows how well they work as a band. Michala's vocals shimmer atop a wash of blurred guitars, the whole thing underpinned by a snare and an intricate but unobtrusive bass line. Dalet-Yod began as an acoustic duo; even now their acoustic guitar work stands out. The sweet bottleneck work on "Trees" and the finger-picking on "Rendevous" were among the CD's highlights. I'd really enjoy seeing Dalet-Yod live, especially in an intimate setting. (If the Elizabethan-esque "John Stewart" is any indication, they might even be fun at a Renfaire). Dalet-Yod's music is always tuneful and occasionally breathtaking. With its acoustic piano and haunting vocalise, "Siren" is one of the most absolutely gorgeous songs I've heard this year. Along with "Glimmer" and "Juggler" (a more upbeat song which reminded me of the Cranberries), it shows real potential for Bigger Things. And yet, in the end, I felt like I wanted Something More. This CD felt like a few musicians who were comfortable with each other and with their music; it didn't feel like they were exploring their limits, or looking for anything new. The moody instrumental "321" gave a few nods to dissonance; everything else was tasteful and pretty. I would like to see Dalet-Yod stretch out a bit more. They certainly have the chops and the chemistry. 1) The Calling Michala Kazda: Vocals Additional Artists: Produced by Dalet-Yod All Songs Written by Michala Kazda and Steve Piscione Dalet-Yod Homepage |