Mise en Scene "Still Life On Fire"
This band has exploded over the last year gaining attention in Paris, England, Australia and Germany but is still playing small clubs when it returns, as it must, to Winnipeg. Perhaps this will change with the release of “Still Life on Fire”. I admit that I have seen Mise en Scene 3 or 4 times in the last couple of years and came away underwhelmed by their live performance.
But…this record has been a truly eye opening experience. Stefani Blondal Johnson’s vocals are passionate, with a real emotional depth and stunning, shimmering quality that was missing live.
There is a savage energy here that is found in punk, spanked guitar, pinched organs and the pounding drums of Jodi Dunlop. But there is also a heavy dose of 1980’s pop with lots of harmonies and synth under currents. Think Bikini Kill, early Blondie or Garbage.
The first single CLOSER blasts out of my speakers like a laser beam of angst and anguish. Johnson’s abused vocal screams tear into your skull while the flaming staccato drums and the fuzz drenched crushing bass of Cory Hawkway pound the rest to mush…in a good way. Great single.
There are times when listening to Johnson’s vocals, like in WASTER, that I was thrilled to discover her reminding me of Nico Case… high praise indeed, as Nico is one of Canada’s best female voices.
STILL LIFE ON FIRE suddenly changes the entire record from aggressive punk to a more, dare I say it, sunnier vibe with a compelling bass line, droplets of piano, wiry synth and jangly guitar underpinning a softer compelling vocal line that really showcases the richness and quality of Johnson’s vocals. Great change of pace and another killer single.
YOUNG LEO is all pointy and punky, but wonderfully brimming with life and youth. This is the tune that you want blasting out of the car stereo as you head to Grand Beach on a hot, sunny afternoon.
Finally you hit the OUTRO (EVERYTHING) and again it is astounding too, as it is a bit of Classical music, stunningly beautiful and far too short.
This could very well be the best record released this summer and a candidate for simply the best record of the year.
Now, can they translate this masterpiece to the stage and become unstoppable?
But…this record has been a truly eye opening experience. Stefani Blondal Johnson’s vocals are passionate, with a real emotional depth and stunning, shimmering quality that was missing live.
There is a savage energy here that is found in punk, spanked guitar, pinched organs and the pounding drums of Jodi Dunlop. But there is also a heavy dose of 1980’s pop with lots of harmonies and synth under currents. Think Bikini Kill, early Blondie or Garbage.
The first single CLOSER blasts out of my speakers like a laser beam of angst and anguish. Johnson’s abused vocal screams tear into your skull while the flaming staccato drums and the fuzz drenched crushing bass of Cory Hawkway pound the rest to mush…in a good way. Great single.
There are times when listening to Johnson’s vocals, like in WASTER, that I was thrilled to discover her reminding me of Nico Case… high praise indeed, as Nico is one of Canada’s best female voices.
STILL LIFE ON FIRE suddenly changes the entire record from aggressive punk to a more, dare I say it, sunnier vibe with a compelling bass line, droplets of piano, wiry synth and jangly guitar underpinning a softer compelling vocal line that really showcases the richness and quality of Johnson’s vocals. Great change of pace and another killer single.
YOUNG LEO is all pointy and punky, but wonderfully brimming with life and youth. This is the tune that you want blasting out of the car stereo as you head to Grand Beach on a hot, sunny afternoon.
Finally you hit the OUTRO (EVERYTHING) and again it is astounding too, as it is a bit of Classical music, stunningly beautiful and far too short.
This could very well be the best record released this summer and a candidate for simply the best record of the year.
Now, can they translate this masterpiece to the stage and become unstoppable?
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