The Tami Show

The Tami Show ~ Self-Titled Date: Saturday, August 07, 2004 @ 11:29:00 EST Topic: Reviews
Artist: The Tami Show - CD: Self-Titled - Home: San Francisco, California - Style: Classic Pop/Country/Folk

Quote: "It only takes seconds to be transported into a somber world of deliberate melody and sound." By Heidi Drockelman

I can’t give you anything but love ... baby.

This is definitely one of the more interesting records that has passed into my mailbox in recent days. And not because it’s overly-ambitious, risky or breaking in a new trend. This one is interesting for reasons that seem very simple: it’s music from another time and place, the songs and arrangements are classically structured, and the music just is what it is and isn’t concerned with fitting into audience and industry expectations.

In fact, it only takes seconds to be transported into a somber world of deliberate melody and sound. The moves and lyrical content of these melodies are at times gloomy, contemplative, always atmospheric, but simultaneously hopeful and never derivative. It really is a wonder that this darkly moody release manages to avoid the pitfalls of dragging its listener into a depression, and, rather, forces a positive reaction.

While the tone and instrumentation seem very calculated throughout most of the disc, the overall impression is that this charming departure from pop and rock trendiness is much like the spontaneous breaks in mood that we, as humans, experience. The content itself includes both originals and covers (a sterling updated version of “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” is a disc highlight), weaving a delicate array of classic sounds with a modern simplicity rarely heard. The imagery evoked in my brain by these songs ranges from a Quentin Tarantino-esque cantina in “Bender” to a seaside encounter between former lovers in “Annabelle Lee."

In addition to great imagery and a sneaking suspicion that lead songstress Tami Means is living inside my head, the supporting instrumentation on this disc supplies a wonderful balance to the plaintive vocals and guitar work of Means. Harmonica work from Tony Watts and trumpet contributions from Luis Moran masterfully set the tone for Means to work her magic. Means own vocals sway from influences of PJ Harvey, Lucinda Williams, Victoria Williams and even a smidge of early Liz Phair. The collaboration and structure of this disc are what first struck my interest, and the more I let this record spin, the more it not only grows on me, but within me. A truly unique and inspired effort.

RIYL: PJ Harvey, Victoria Williams, classic country/pop tunes
Standout tracks: “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love," “Annabelle Lee," “America Hates You," “I’m Gonna Change Everything," “(Another) Freight Train”

This article comes from Indie-Music.com -