by Close your eyes and drift into a soft rainbow of deeply layered dreamy guitar riffs and the alluring melodies of The High Violets while listening through their latest album, Heroes and Halos. Tinged with pop-sensible shoegazing melodies and soft dance beats, this album quickly pulls you into the sonic dreamscape of an angelic siren calling you to dive into the waves and drown in the beauty.
From the first strains of “How I Love (Everything About You)” to the driving beat of “Longitude” to the achingly beautiful “Hearts in Our Throats,” there is never a dull moment on this album. While there is a definite identity and sound the band has crafted, The High Violets are mature enough in their songwriting to explore different lyrical themes, rhythmic changes, and drench it all in lush chords, while keeping you listening to see what else they have to offer, and not disappoint in the least. Not a surprising talent to have considering they’ve been around since 1998.
If you’ve been reading the reviews I write, you’ll note I’ll swoon all over the vocals and pay little attention to some of the other musicians. This time, while I am tempted to puke good things all over the divine sounds of Kaitlyn ni Donovan, Clint Sargent is a master lead guitarist. I am tempted (and probably will as soon as I’m done writing this) to just load up my playlist with only the song “Ease On” and hit repeat with some headphones on so I don’t bug the people I live with.
When band members Kaitlyn ni Donovan, Clint Sargent, Luke Strahota and Colin Sheridan have been releasing gorgeous CDs similar to this one since the late 90′s, it’s no wonder that they produce a product of such high caliber. They’re local to the Pacific Northwest (noting Portland, OR as their home base) and are currently on the record label Saint Marie.
(Do yourself a favor. Buy this album. You can do so at http://www.saintmarierecords.com/products/567261-the-high-violets-heroes-and-halos.)
