1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Haunting dark pop, August 21, 2001
This review is from: Messages for Cake Kitchen (Audio CD)
I can't remember how I came to pick this record up in the early 90's, but it's quite good. The music will remind you of the Velvet Underground and other practitioners of dark, beautiful pop songs. Jefferies has a deep voice, and the songs are awash with John Cale-ish viola and guitar feedback, creating a really lush, evocative sound. "Nothing That's New" is beautiful, and the closer "Is The Timing Wrong?" is a mini-epic. All in all, if you like your music dark but beautiful, this is for you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
4.0 out of 5 stars
Folk sprinkles, darkly Gothic-tinged, layered as a three-level cake, August 17, 2005
This review is from: Messages for Cake Kitchen (Audio CD)
After hearing Graeme Jefferies' later albums leading what pretty much became his project, The Cakekitchen, I expected a more harsh sound. This solo effort, which led to the formation of what originally was a trio, shows Jefferies within the low-fi limitations that you'd expect from a New Zealand indie musician.
But, as the tracks flow by, thanks to Alastair Galbraith's violin on many songs, and ex-earlier bandmate Maxine Fleming's vocals and keys on song #3, the album sounds less a clunky one-man production as Jefferies concentrates on Bowie-esque tones (which I like better than Bowie's more affected, theatrical delivery) into tunes recalling medieval chants and madrigals as much as Bauhaus or Sisters of Mercy! The last song is excellent, one of my all-time favorite NZ tracks, right up there with the finest of another Graeme, Downes of the Verlaines. The approaches of both talented men working at the same time and place overlap well: I wish they had combined their forces.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
