SMC : "Breath from Another"~ ESTHERO
VEDHEAD27
Posts: 3,091
It's that time once again. Well, I must say this pick is completely different from the last pick of mine...which is what SMC is all about, mixing it up. 
While I love me some metal/local metal,and love just an acoustic guitar paired up with some gorgeous vocals....another style that has ALWAYS been one of my absolute favs is some electronic music paired up with beautiful female vocals.....bands such as Portishead, Morcheeba, Lamb AND this weeks pick *drum roll*....ESTHERO. Do you KNOW about ESTHERO? Seems like a lot of people don't so here's my chance to change that.
I first stumbled across Breath from Another while I was working for Wherehouse records back in the late 90's. One of the greatest aspects of that job was constantly being exposed to new music. This is a band that instantly struck me and I've been listening to them ever since. First things first, I absolutely looove lead singer Esthero's voice.
Such beautiful melodies and I love how she can go from being kinda breathy/ whispery, to being throaty/strong, to being completely sweet and even sexy sounding. I always find her to be so soothing either way. The voice, and all it's many layers, just always manages to compliment the music perfectly as well. Love the variety in the music. There's a sprinkle of this and that all blended together so smoothly creating one amazing sound. Trip-hop, hip-hop---jazzy, funky, poppy. One minute it makes me wanna dance my heart out and the next minute it's calming as can be, putting my soul at complete and total ease...the perfect "chill out" vibe.
AnywayZ (<~that's actually my fav track on the album
...along with Superoheros;) & That Girl) , I hope you guys enjoy it. 
*******************************************************************************************************
The first release from the Toronto duo Esthero, Breath from Another blends a number of musical styles into a hypnotic, and a bit unfocused, potpourri of sound and texture. Consisting of lead singer Esthero and multi-instrumentalist Doc, who also handles programming chores and production, the basic feel of their debut is rooted in cool, electronic pop with some eclectic twist thrown in for good measure. As a singer, Esthero has a breathy, smooth delivery residing somewhere between the cool of Sade and the quirkiness of Bjork. The music is heavy on programming, but also makes good use of horns on several tracks. There's a breezy air to the whole affair on tracks like the jazzy, lounge pop of "Heaven Sent" and the subtle, percussive feel to the Latin-tinged "Half a World Away." The best offerings are "That Girl," which wouldn't sound out of place on a Swing Out Sister record, and "Country Livin' (The World I Know)," with its lovely vocal melody and gentle keyboard washes. Breath from Another is too scrumptious sounding to be ignored, even if nothing truly sticks with you after the fact. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
*******************************************************************************************************
Esthero's "Breath from Another" is one of those CDs that defy categorization. It's Club, Techno, Jungle, 70's Disco and Jazz all at once. A CD like that only makes you wonder of the musical possibilities. I had to wonder myself when the title track kicks off the album with a sample line from the movie Deliverance. Better still, both "Country Livin'" and "Half a World Away" feature a soaring violin break one would hear in a love scene from a cheesy 70's TV movie. But hey, it works. Elsewhere on the CD, horns abound ("Lounge"), pianos twinkle ("Anywayz"), drum machines crank up to 1000rpms ("Breath from Another"), and scratching can be heard alongside classical string arrangements. But the the winner hands down is the hypnotic and sultry "Superheroes". The singer coos to her lover that "the electric blanket is warm", when all the while languid bass lines, harp licks and scratching are melded together so tenderly it could move a churl. "Breath from Another" listens like a Jazz band that's gone to the Rave one time too many. It's a potent concoction at once quirky and fierce, and definitely worth the $15 investment. ~ Amazon
While I love me some metal/local metal,and love just an acoustic guitar paired up with some gorgeous vocals....another style that has ALWAYS been one of my absolute favs is some electronic music paired up with beautiful female vocals.....bands such as Portishead, Morcheeba, Lamb AND this weeks pick *drum roll*....ESTHERO. Do you KNOW about ESTHERO? Seems like a lot of people don't so here's my chance to change that.I first stumbled across Breath from Another while I was working for Wherehouse records back in the late 90's. One of the greatest aspects of that job was constantly being exposed to new music. This is a band that instantly struck me and I've been listening to them ever since. First things first, I absolutely looove lead singer Esthero's voice.
Such beautiful melodies and I love how she can go from being kinda breathy/ whispery, to being throaty/strong, to being completely sweet and even sexy sounding. I always find her to be so soothing either way. The voice, and all it's many layers, just always manages to compliment the music perfectly as well. Love the variety in the music. There's a sprinkle of this and that all blended together so smoothly creating one amazing sound. Trip-hop, hip-hop---jazzy, funky, poppy. One minute it makes me wanna dance my heart out and the next minute it's calming as can be, putting my soul at complete and total ease...the perfect "chill out" vibe.AnywayZ (<~that's actually my fav track on the album
...along with Superoheros;) & That Girl) , I hope you guys enjoy it. *******************************************************************************************************
The first release from the Toronto duo Esthero, Breath from Another blends a number of musical styles into a hypnotic, and a bit unfocused, potpourri of sound and texture. Consisting of lead singer Esthero and multi-instrumentalist Doc, who also handles programming chores and production, the basic feel of their debut is rooted in cool, electronic pop with some eclectic twist thrown in for good measure. As a singer, Esthero has a breathy, smooth delivery residing somewhere between the cool of Sade and the quirkiness of Bjork. The music is heavy on programming, but also makes good use of horns on several tracks. There's a breezy air to the whole affair on tracks like the jazzy, lounge pop of "Heaven Sent" and the subtle, percussive feel to the Latin-tinged "Half a World Away." The best offerings are "That Girl," which wouldn't sound out of place on a Swing Out Sister record, and "Country Livin' (The World I Know)," with its lovely vocal melody and gentle keyboard washes. Breath from Another is too scrumptious sounding to be ignored, even if nothing truly sticks with you after the fact. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide
*******************************************************************************************************
Esthero's "Breath from Another" is one of those CDs that defy categorization. It's Club, Techno, Jungle, 70's Disco and Jazz all at once. A CD like that only makes you wonder of the musical possibilities. I had to wonder myself when the title track kicks off the album with a sample line from the movie Deliverance. Better still, both "Country Livin'" and "Half a World Away" feature a soaring violin break one would hear in a love scene from a cheesy 70's TV movie. But hey, it works. Elsewhere on the CD, horns abound ("Lounge"), pianos twinkle ("Anywayz"), drum machines crank up to 1000rpms ("Breath from Another"), and scratching can be heard alongside classical string arrangements. But the the winner hands down is the hypnotic and sultry "Superheroes". The singer coos to her lover that "the electric blanket is warm", when all the while languid bass lines, harp licks and scratching are melded together so tenderly it could move a churl. "Breath from Another" listens like a Jazz band that's gone to the Rave one time too many. It's a potent concoction at once quirky and fierce, and definitely worth the $15 investment. ~ Amazon
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
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Comments
from my window to yours
01. viggs20
02. alobar
03. transplant
04. Echoes
05. psycosmic
06. swede
07. burnin-candle
08. VEDHEAD27
09. barcoach
10. thebetterman
11. trappedinmyradio
12. AndySlash
www.stopglobalaids.com www.indymedia.org www.ecologyfund.com www.thehungersite.com www.amnesty.org www.pratham.org www.icbl.org www.care2.com/click2donate
www.stopglobalaids.com www.indymedia.org www.ecologyfund.com www.thehungersite.com www.amnesty.org www.pratham.org www.icbl.org www.care2.com/click2donate
I have loved Esthero for quite a while. Her new album Wikked Lil' Grrls is incredible.
that's all. thank you.
Will post more when I give it a good chance. Great voice, for sure.
If you can't get high on purely music and the sounds that you hear, you're missing out on something.
Really, anytime you come to Mexico you'll have a home with me... you're all invited whenever you want!!!
Sorry, just feeling like a little sentimental, trying to get back to normal life is tough.
-The crazy guy with the Ramones t-shirt.
Mexico C. 12/10/05.
"There is a rose that I want to live for
although, God knows, I may not have met her"
-J. Strummer
"And you'll never know just how dark this screen could be"
Back to topic, I have given this several spins. I hope I NEVER become a bachelor again, however if I do, I will be glad to have this disc in my arsenal. This isn't my type of music, I mean there is nothing bad about it, but I would rarely find a time or find a mood to put this CD in. I on several occasions found myself tapping my feet, enjoying many of the songs on here however the music is toooo polished for my tastes. I do need to make note that this is what I expect (and want) to hear, CD's like this to mix things up. I have never heard of Esthero and rather surprised I never have. If I had iTunes on shuffle I would certainly not hit the skip button.
Beautiful voice, she mixes it up extremely well. I like bands to have a full backing but her partner makes the best of it for sure. I will single out Breath From Another and Lounge as standouts for me. You surely cannot classify this. I guess this last quote for me stands out
"Breath from Another is too scrumptious sounding to be ignored, even if nothing truly sticks with you after the fact. ~ Tom Demalon, All Music Guide"
So cool, VEDHEAD, again, not disappointed it just isn't music that would get a lot of play.
i'm not usually a fan of female singers. but, this is an exception...just like norah jones and courtney love are exceptions. i put this on my mp3 player so i could listen to it through headphones in my car on a nice long drive through the state of maryland - up and down hills - through the snow. i got lost in the sounds and the, at times, ethereal soundscapes...it was, all at once, a lucid dream, and a maze. not such a bad combination.
thanks for putting this one up.
and, by the way, garage a trois is really growing on me...it took the place of sigur ros in an empty classroom for me while i was doing some homework over the weekend.
from my window to yours
Cheers barcoach. Yeah and to everyone else too!! I've personally had a really shitty year, but I think you guys single handedly made it one of the very special ones I've had.
trappedinmyradio, I'm glad that Garage is growing on ya. I would imagine it would be a pretty strange feeling pumping that kind of music in an empty classroom.
If you can't get high on purely music and the sounds that you hear, you're missing out on something.
It really makes me happy that you guys get so much out of SMC...and I thought I'd only get a handful of views - maybe a "yeah man thats a good idea" and then be lost amongst all the other threads. You guys rock !!
www.stopglobalaids.com www.indymedia.org www.ecologyfund.com www.thehungersite.com www.amnesty.org www.pratham.org www.icbl.org www.care2.com/click2donate
Just know that you're all so beautiful to me, and I really think of you as friends.
The SMC is one of the best things that I owe to PJ... and right now there are so many...
LOS AMO.
Well, go back to topic... discuss the album... I'll be doing it a bit later.
-The crazy guy with the Ramones t-shirt.
Mexico C. 12/10/05.
"There is a rose that I want to live for
although, God knows, I may not have met her"
-J. Strummer
"And you'll never know just how dark this screen could be"
In response to what people are saying about Esthero so far...
trappedinmyradio, so glad you're digging it.
Totally know what you mean! And yes, I just love the feel/mood of this music /her voice. Like AndySlash points out, it is indeed a great Winter album.
transplant & AndySlash, totally respect where you guys are coming from and glad that if nothing else we can agree that her voice is beautiful.
P.s. lanners, awesome!
P.s.s. El Riot Actor, you can listen to MP3s on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000062H5/103-6218429-1431062?v=glance
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I do know that she put out another record, after a long layoff where she did some side projects, or appeared on some other people's albums. I have not yet heard anything new from her, nor heard anyone's opinions.
Vedhead, have you heard the new one ?? I too enjoy that electronic sound with a female lead. Lamb, Portishead, Morcheeba, Sneaker Pimps, Garbage (yes, I know, not really electronic, but some of their early stuff was quirky and unconventional), um, I think that's all I can remember. Anyways, another cool genre that your into
What does SMC mean ? So, my contribution ?
2003 ~ Toronto
2005 ~ London, Toronto
2006 ~ Toronto
2008 ~ Hartford, Mansfied I,
2009 ~ Toronto, Chicago I, Chicago II
2010 ~ Cleveland, Buffalo
2011 ~ Toronto I, Toronto II, Ottawa, Hamilton
2013 - London, Pittsburgh, Buffalo
I know its quite unfair to compare so I'll take it for what it is...a very nice and smooth album to unwind on a cold evening.
www.stopglobalaids.com www.indymedia.org www.ecologyfund.com www.thehungersite.com www.amnesty.org www.pratham.org www.icbl.org www.care2.com/click2donate
now, this is what loving music is all about - i wish the world could feel THIS!
from my window to yours
Belive me, some people in the world can feel it, and when you meet one of them is simply amazing... and I just use that word for the lack of something better, it just goes beyond any language.
Anyway, friends, can't really wait for my turn to pick, there's gonna be a plus that I'm sure will get most of you excited. I know I come after Vedhead, so please just tell me when it's the right time to upload... and I promise next week I'll be posting my comments to at least the last three picks... my life's been a rollercoster these weeks, but I'm coming down back to Earth.
cheers, everyone!
-The crazy guy with the Ramones t-shirt.
Mexico C. 12/10/05.
"There is a rose that I want to live for
although, God knows, I may not have met her"
-J. Strummer
"And you'll never know just how dark this screen could be"
Oh man, I miss you guys! I haven't had much free time and haven't spent a lick of my time on the net, due to an intense Emergency Medical Technician training course AND a new job (building boats) AND volunteering at the fire station. But I feel like I've missed out on so much. I just finished my EMT class, so things are slowing down a bit. I'm so glad the SMC is going strong and that I'll be back in the loop soon.
Sorry to those that I did not get a chance to dl and listen to. Hopefully I'm not too late for Esthero, vedhead. It sounds cool.
WAR + MAGIC BEANS = PEACE
I played Esthero Saturday morning. It was cold as hell out, snowing etc.. sounded perfect. So during the 2nd track, I glance over and my soon-to-be 2yr old daughter has her hands in the air dancing around the living room. More of a jump up and down spinning in circles sorta thing, but she was diggin it!
Transplant, you're daughter is going to a musician.
I gave a few more spins, Vedhead27 , and this really fits the season. I like the chill-out vibes fused with some warmth. I think it's the texture of her voice matching with the rather electrical side of the backing track. Trip-hoppy indeed!
I think I'll try to grab a few drinks and turn the lights down and see what it sounds like then.
Cheers.
If you can't get high on purely music and the sounds that you hear, you're missing out on something.
burnin-candle, NICE! Yeah...it really does fit the mood. I think I picked the right time to expose this band for sure. Glad it's complimenting the feel of winter and soothing you all.
Ooooh and barcoach, I will re-upload this for you later on tonight buddy and send it your way.
"Lo√e, you know the word
...YOU invented it!" ~ E√
¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤
...::STONE--YOU--OWN!::...
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
the first thing that bothered me about this album was that i never heard of it before... especially since i like a lot of similar artists...
as it has been mentioned before, i get a lamb/portishead vibe from this...
the singer's voice is great, she reminds me of beth gibbons or björk in places... she has a very pleasant voice but the only problem i have is that she doesn't sound unique enough for me... nothing wrong with that, but to make it to my list of favourite artists she would have to have a more distinct sound... i love pj harvey's voice, for example...
some of my favourite tracks are Anywayz, That Girl and Swallow Me... but like most of the other posters i don't feel that there are tracks that really stand out... it's more of a mood record to listen to the whole way through... the first time i listened to it i was well stoned, it's the perfect stoner/chill-out album... just kick back and relax...
it also fits the season, but at the same time it's very soothing and uplifting, i think...
i'll make sure to give this a couple more spins from time to time...
Some days you wake up and sit on a park bench next to an eighty year old Russian architect, and some days you don't. I think this is my new life philosophy.
http://epplehausradio.blogspot.com/
pearl jam @ the astoria, london, 20/04/06