CYNTHIA DALL
Sound Restores Young Men
Drag City
· Former member of Smog's sophomore solo effort.
The latest effort by Cynthia Dall is what you might expect given her tenure in Smog. Less like an album and more like a scrapbook, Sound Restores Young Men is childlike and haunting. Somtimes reminiscent of Sonic Youth without drums, the record can change directions abruptly to become driving and anthemic – the only cohesive element is the soft echo of Dall’s vocals. Whether perched above an artificial drum beat or droning synth, her voice creates a far more epic atmosphere than her lyrics deserve.
Despite the use of programming and artificial instruments, Sound Restores Young Men sounds remarkably organic. The record alternates between solo piano tunes and guitar-based indie rock, contributing to the lack of cohesion, but more often than not, Dall’s work is headshakingly beautiful.
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