Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Songs from a Random House is one of those unclassifiable bands that either astound a selective few and then vanish without a trace or else create an entirely new genre that utterly confounds potential imitators. The unusual instrumental forces, which include two ukeleles, a viola, a chord organ, acoustic bass, and trap drums, are only half the tale. Bandleader Steven Swartz's songs have a chilled-out, sophisticated, downtown jazzy melodic sense that might remind some listeners of Steely Dan minus the unctuousness. There are also hints of 20th-century classical dissonance, assorted string-driven world music traditions, late-night café torchers and be-bop. Swartz's lyrics are full of sly humor, ironic puns, blistering insights, and surreal epiphanies--the fallout of minutely observed living amid chaos. But that isn't to say the group is incapable of getting down--the album closes with a drone-laced, propulsive, droll cover of Donna Summer's louche disco hit, "I Feel Love." --Christina Roden
Glisten,Songs from a Random House,Bar None Records,Chamber Pop,Folk-Jazz,Pop,Pop/Rock,Rock,Rock/Pop
Rock Music:
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