With carpe carmina's second birthday approaching, I sure get a bit sentimental, especially remembering how this wonderful writing/reviewing experience all started. And it's been none other than an audacious and energetic synth pop/rock outfit from Toronto who asked me to write my first album review for their debut 'Carnival Nature'. carpe carmina has seen quite many EPs and albums ever since, interviewed a few artists throughout, yet I will hold my musings about the exciting and atmospherically swirling melodic exuberance of 'Carnival Nature' always dear, being my first for this blog. The 4 musicians behind the Nursery have not been idle since their last feature here, to the contrary, new music is on its way and for all those who loved, still do, their debut's ecletic, hypnotically elusive and evocative sound here is a vividly sparkling treat: the band has come up with a 8-bit remix for 'Domino', and carpe carmina has the pleasure to premiere it. Thanks for that, guys, and now press START, or rather PLAY ...
Featured on 'Carnival Nature', 'Domino' managed to win the listener over, to arouse his interest due to eccentrically whimsical, powerful vocals and dynamically ludic, dimly mesmerizing instrumentals. As a 8-bit remix the single loses Alex Pulec's characteristic vocal charisma, shines nonetheless tonally vibrant, relies on simple (soon expansively buoyant) yet effective synths structures and frisky, densely layered melodic tension - traits that show in the opening sequence of the remix already. Harmoniously generated and perky sound effects extend a rousing, tonally stimulant welcome to the audience, merge with rhythmically imbuing, darkly-shaded sonic accompaniment, diffuse in a ludically serene manner and pick up vivaciously streaming, energetic pace. The chiptune-styled composition spins with buzzy briskness, dashes with spirited and playful melodic pep, grows to full potential however, during a brief but hauntingly elusive and tensely thrilling aural episode. This remix admittedly lacks the absorbing and expressive vocal pulse of the original song, but excites with cheerful and jauntily adventurous drive. Given the remix' vivid and witty allure, it's not suprising that the idea of an Atari style 'Carnival Nature' game, with the Nursery's music serving as its sountrack, has been dallied with. carpe carmina would certainly approve.
The Nursery (Victor Ess, Alex Pulec, Jared Roth and Andre St. Denis) [photo courtesy of Genevieve Blais Photography]
Reach out & listen to the Nursery on ...
.. twitter ...
.. facebook ..... the band's official website ...
.. soundcloud ...
.. bandcamp ..
