Twelve Thirty Four
Ellen Kolenick
7-out-of-10
As the weather turns colder I've been seeking longer refuge near my small box stove hunched over my work bench, a project under my nose and drowning in familiar Bob Dylan records. Listening to something foreign has been unusually refreshing lately and Ellen Kolenick's Twelve Thirty Four was something that my ears desperately needed.
Originally from the Saltcoats area, Kolenick has enjoyed a career in the arts for around 12 years. First starting with Saskatchewan Express she later moved onto performing on Norwegian cruise ships and eventually branched into acting, appearing on Corner Gas among others. She now focuses her time on promoting her two records, Twelve Thirty Four being the latest.
Kolenick seamlessly connects jazz and adult contemporary on this release, exhibiting an amazing, sultry voice accompanied a few choice instruments. Mainly acoustic guitars, strings, and piano, the songs are soothing and light with simplistic melodies and easy to digest lyrics. Though the tempos are mostly slow, the songs don't begin to drag because of their shorter lengths which is nice; I didn't get bored. The small handful of up tempo songs are snappy and pop infused, but I think that the ballads suit Ellen better.
The record sounds beautiful, timeless, and mature. The music and lyrics were all composed by Kolenick, and the accompanying musicians performed excellently. The piano is buttery smooth, the guitars crisp, and strings warm. Kolenick's voice delivers on every song with perfect power and complacency.
-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
Through the Deep, Dark Valley
The Oh Hellos
10-out-of-10
I regretfully can't call myself an avid reader, and sometimes my book snob friends look down their noses at me for it. Ho hum, I say. I like short stories, and in particular short stories in the form of a concept album; any number of songs unraveling a connection of character or experience. My latest favorite "read" is Through the Deep, Dark Valley by Texans The Oh Hellos.
Firstly, I noticed the influence of some of my favorite bands like Sufjan Stevens, The Middle East, The Lumineers, and Los Campesinos. Group chorus and thick instruments and brilliant melodies run throughout Dark Valley, and are each song's connective tissue. These thick, heavy pieces are broken up by marbling, spars tunes.
At many points throughout the album the usage of the group vocal is planted with overwhelming power, based with spacious drums or stomps and hand claps. These simple elements are often enough to flush my cheeks, I'm a sucker for it. And with the foundation of strummed guitars, plucked banjos and basic percussion, The Oh Hellos become everything I love about an album of this nature. They do everything expected, but in their own way. Taking the seeds sown by The Middle East or Sufjan Stevens, and planting their own fertile garden.
If you insist that you are a reader, a lover of tails and transplanting mystery, I suggest you put down the paperback and look into The Oh Hellos and their debut record Through the Deep, Dark Valley. It is urged that you listen to this album in its entirety in one sitting, repeat as necessary.
-SEAN CRAIB-PETKAU
