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analysis w/e 14.5.11 |
DVDs out 9.5.11 |
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@ DVDfever Youtube |
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May 11 2011 
DVDfever co uk
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Glaswegians return, with ambient-folk little gem. A little help from their friends. Stephen Mc Robbie, Annabel Wright (Aggi) and Katrina Mitchell - The Pastels, on the album front at least, have been inactive for nigh on a decade. Quaint, cute, blissful, serene, even cuddly, is probably the best way of describing Two Sunsets, a collaboration with Tokyo outfit Tenniscoats. The melting of their styles is absolutely perfect in this case – charming, flowery and dreamy low-fi ballads set to soothe you at every level. Tenniscoats had apparently began writing some songs even before they suggested the collaboration, which was lucky for The Pastels. Musically, this is like a summer breeze wafting through your back door, which when you consider their early material in the early 80s, is a dramatic shift from their raw immediate sound. This is a very well crafted laidback collection, though some doubt is cast over its general appeal.
They, even with their Japanese counterparts, retain a certain ambient awkwardness at times that befits this stylish CD. Their evolution has been gradual, but they seem to have ironed out any musical blips in the intervening years while making soundtracks for film and theatre, which would have been a massive learning curve, both intellectually and musically. Songs calmly plod along seamlessly, leaving the listener with a feeling of warmth and relaxed engagement. Like many of its type, this is a grower, but that doesn’t mean it’s not in any way inaccessible, and I’m sure at sometime in the future, bits will appear in some soundtracks. From a Japanese perspective there are very few musical clues, except for, perky Yomigaeru and Hikoki, and rambling ballad Song For A Friend. Highlight is the almost popy adventure, the jolly Sodane. The verdict – Perfect for Sunday mornings.
Weblink: myspace.com/thepastels
The full list of tracks included are :
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier. PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
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Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
