Artist Review: Elizabeth & the Catapult, Like It Never Happened
Artist: Elizabeth & the Catapult
Album: Like It Never Happened
Genre: Pop / Rock
RIYL: Aimee Mann, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Shelby Earl
Like It Never Happened is the newest release from Brooklyn-based Elizabeth & the Catapult, fronted by namesake Elizabeth Ziman. This 11-song album marks a slight departure, and perceptible songwriting growth, for the traditionally piano-based pop/rock that populated previous material. There’s a musical curiosity and playfulness here that finds Ziman taking things up several notches and pushing the band’s sound forward with satisfying results.
“Happy Pop” kicks off the album with a melodic, catchy tune that touches on all of the strengths that Ziman and Co. have to offer musically - strong clear vocals, unique rhythm structures and deeply rooted piano lines. The title track follows, a short jaunt that adds lush vocal layers and a slightly less sweet approach. This provides a natural segueway to “Salt of the Earth,” an interesting track that begins with a minimalistic approach and continues a slow build while maintaining a very stripped-down sound. Here, Ziman reminds most of an artist like Aimee Mann; it’s a particularly strong vocal paired with smart songwriting.
Album single “Shoelaces” also straddles the line that “Happy Pop” and the wonderful “Please Yourself” and audacious “Sugar Covered Poison” manage to accomplish, boasting a humworthy chorus, unique rhythms and clever lyrics. It’s one of those songs that somehow sounds catchy while still remaining unconventional. “More Than Enough” is one of the shortest tunes on the record, but it’s also one of the simplest and most beautiful. Ziman’s voice cuts through with clarity, and gorgeous lush harmonies with delicate guitar and keyboard accompaniment make this an easy favorite.
Another wonderfully vulnerable moment is captured on her cover of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You In The End,” a piano-vocal treat that hits all the right notes with heartbreaking purity. I like the difference this rendition conveys, and trading Johnston’s naivete for something a bit more raw. It’s a melancholic, sort of guarded hopefulness that others will relate to.
It’s such a wonderful moment when you hear an artist make that breakthrough in their work that propels them forward in their career. Is it perfect? No. Occasionally that ambition leads to disparate styles, but there’s something to be said for having the moxie to break out of old patterns. There’s a timeless quality to the songs on Like It Never Happened, and Ziman is enchanting in her performance. This is bright, fearless, sharp songwriting that’s really reaching for more. This is what musical growth sounds like, and it’s utterly appealing for that reason alone.
Elizabeth & the Catapult website: http://elizabethandthecatapult.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_elizabeth_the_catapult_like_it_never_happened)
Album: Like It Never Happened
Genre: Pop / Rock
RIYL: Aimee Mann, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson, Shelby Earl
Like It Never Happened is the newest release from Brooklyn-based Elizabeth & the Catapult, fronted by namesake Elizabeth Ziman. This 11-song album marks a slight departure, and perceptible songwriting growth, for the traditionally piano-based pop/rock that populated previous material. There’s a musical curiosity and playfulness here that finds Ziman taking things up several notches and pushing the band’s sound forward with satisfying results.
“Happy Pop” kicks off the album with a melodic, catchy tune that touches on all of the strengths that Ziman and Co. have to offer musically - strong clear vocals, unique rhythm structures and deeply rooted piano lines. The title track follows, a short jaunt that adds lush vocal layers and a slightly less sweet approach. This provides a natural segueway to “Salt of the Earth,” an interesting track that begins with a minimalistic approach and continues a slow build while maintaining a very stripped-down sound. Here, Ziman reminds most of an artist like Aimee Mann; it’s a particularly strong vocal paired with smart songwriting.
Album single “Shoelaces” also straddles the line that “Happy Pop” and the wonderful “Please Yourself” and audacious “Sugar Covered Poison” manage to accomplish, boasting a humworthy chorus, unique rhythms and clever lyrics. It’s one of those songs that somehow sounds catchy while still remaining unconventional. “More Than Enough” is one of the shortest tunes on the record, but it’s also one of the simplest and most beautiful. Ziman’s voice cuts through with clarity, and gorgeous lush harmonies with delicate guitar and keyboard accompaniment make this an easy favorite.
Another wonderfully vulnerable moment is captured on her cover of Daniel Johnston’s “True Love Will Find You In The End,” a piano-vocal treat that hits all the right notes with heartbreaking purity. I like the difference this rendition conveys, and trading Johnston’s naivete for something a bit more raw. It’s a melancholic, sort of guarded hopefulness that others will relate to.
It’s such a wonderful moment when you hear an artist make that breakthrough in their work that propels them forward in their career. Is it perfect? No. Occasionally that ambition leads to disparate styles, but there’s something to be said for having the moxie to break out of old patterns. There’s a timeless quality to the songs on Like It Never Happened, and Ziman is enchanting in her performance. This is bright, fearless, sharp songwriting that’s really reaching for more. This is what musical growth sounds like, and it’s utterly appealing for that reason alone.
Elizabeth & the Catapult website: http://elizabethandthecatapult.com/
(This originally appeared on Indie-Music.com at: http://www.indie-music.com/ee/index.php/blog/comments/review_elizabeth_the_catapult_like_it_never_happened)
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