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This strange promo was mailed to us in CD format. Yes, that's right, a physical CD. We rarely get these anymore, as it costs money to create a physical CD and mail it somewhere, while emailing a link to a .zip file of MP3s is more or less free. So this was kind of a throwback to the earlier years of EvilSponge. Unfortunately, it also sidestepped my current listening process, and it took me several spins in the regular CD player to decide that this was interesting enough to rip to my Zune. Sheesh, the nerve of these labels making me create my own MP3s, like a caveman!
At any rate, All Over Everywhere is an act from College Park, MD. The liner notes list ten people as being involved in the band and also state, "It would be too difficult to list who played what on which songs, and we'd have a hard time remembering for sure anyway". I find that a strange statement, but whatever.
The music they make is fascinating combination of pop and classical. I hear a fair amount of this stuff these days, usually by one man electronic acts. However, there are no samples on this record, instead some person actually played that clarinet / accordion / dulcimer / etc. live in the studio. It is a refreshingly old school approach and the end result is a richly layered sound. Strings, horns, guitars, percussion and others all cascade against one another, no instrument dominating the proceedings, but each sound coming to the forefront as the ebb and flow of the music requires. The complex way the songs are constructed tells me that these people have put a lot of thought into this music. In a way it reminds me of Balmorhea, My Education, or Glissando -- all bands that make music that is very carefully constructed. This music seems more suited to the symphony hall than your local dive bar.
And then there are the vocals, specifically the voice of one Megan Wheatley. Ms. Wheatley has a wide vocal range and obviously really knows how to use her voice. Often she is layered under a slight fuzz, flattening the vocals somewhat and making them on par with the layers of music that surround the voice. The vocal style reminds me, just slightly, of Elly May Irving of Glissando, or perhaps Anna-Lynne Williams of Trespassers Williams. The voice is delicate, yet powerful, with lots of rich tones and clear enunciation without a lot of unnecessarily dragged out notes. I happen to like this singing style, but not everyone does, so be forewarned.
The real standout on this record is The Shroud, a song with a huge, truly epic sound. It reminds me of a Queen song, only with a strong female vocalist. It has that sort of soaring, deep sound that Queen used to get, here built out of layers of guitar, strings, and some truly thunderous drumming, while Wheatley wails away. Stunning.
Overall, i am impressed. This is fascinating music, and well done at that.
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