The Ballad of Paper Ships, by Odessa Chen (CD)

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Odessa Chen’s The Ballad of Paper Ships, is in keeping with her acclaimed debut One
Room Palace, but here the darkness is broken by moments of light. Described as
wintry, intelligent, and haunting, Odessa’s music has drawn comparisons to Jeff
Buckley, Cat Power, and Sigur Rós. Her latest cd is even more realised. Vocals come
to the fore relaxed and assured, arrangements are more focused, and there is a
greater variety in tone and tempo. Highlights include Kill the Lights and Made up
my Mind, as well as Small Birds (which has been a favorite live) and the title track
The Ballad of Paper Ships.
Using the paper ship as a metaphor for the fragile, handmade nature of love, the
songs navigate around dark memories as well as places of tenderness and joy.
Cello, stand-up bass, bells, and french horn lend texture to the arrangements.
Guest musicians include guitar hero Nels Cline of Wilco and the Nels Cline Singers
and Danny Grody of Tarentel and The Drift (Temporary Residence). This is the first time
drummer Rich Douthit (The Drift) appears, and although stand-up bassist Devin
Hoff (Xiu Xiu, Nels Cline Singers) was a guest on the first record, he plays throughout
here. Their subtle, inspired playing is a constant presence, binding the
songs together while retaining the sparseness of the music.
Since her debut in 2003, Odessa has been interviewed on NPR and MTV,
appeared as a guest vocalist on recordings by Charles Atlas (Ochre Records)
and Thee More Shallows (Monotreme Records) and shared stages with accomplished
artists including Mark Eitzel, Mia Doi Todd, The Devics, Jolie Holland,
and the Microphones. She has toured internationally, playing everywhere from
a boat in Paris (Le Batofar), to the Great American Music Hall.
Quotes
One Room Palace is different, special and shiny. (Odessa) plays guitars, cello, bass and
keyboards in addition to singing, creating a breathy dramatic tension that’s equal parts
Kate Bush and Cat Power; she’s backed by stark but textured arrangements that Mogwai
would be happy to call their own. It’s autumnal music, often quiet but with deep
reserves of raw emotion. ~ Devil in the Woods
Odessa Chen’s One Room Palace, is a meteorological phenomenon. It is a spooky, stormy,
sonically impressive debut...This is the type of gloom that’s been missing from the pop
music landscape for some time now, the kind Mazzy Star gave us, captivating, tender,
beautiful. ~ Venus Magazine
...Odessa Chen has crafted one of the strongest releases in the independent music world
this year... yearning, delicate, wintry, earthy, intelligent, chilling, intricate, folksy, dark,
and comforting.~ Somewherecold.com

*1.kill the lights (4:30)
*2.made up my mind (4:51)
3.harm (5:33)
4.the weight (4:10)
*5.small birds (5.40)
*6.the ballad of paper ships (4:21)
7.ave maria (5:28)
8.the 4th of july (3.37)
*recommended tracks :
this cd has NO profanity

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Other items by Odessa Chen:

One Room Palace by Odessa Chen (CD, £7.99)