Santamonica is taking Indonesian pop music to the level that has never been reached before. Their debut album, Curiouser And Curiouser, is a collection of songs that in fact keep you curious about what’s going to hit you next. From the initial “Curiouser And Curiouser” to the final track “Fail To Bloom”, Santamonica has somehow managed to keep it interesting. Filled with amusing twists & turns, underlining many curious sounds, these 10 songs are the proof of their persistance of perfecting the details and superb jazz-pop-sensibility. I think it’s their signature of songwriting, concerning its continuity.
The production is quite ambitious I’d say. It’s nowhere near 189 (their EP - 2005). The duo have a strong interest in analog instruments and the record shows a lot. You’d play it for many times just so you could re-discover the layers and actually enjoy the same song in a different way. I imagined that Anindita & Joseph Saryuf were curious and curiouser about the alternate results of the songs along the process, that it’s very possible they’d have so many outtakes (yum!).
“Wanderlust” the 1st single, is a playful one and a bit Stereolab-ish. “Better For Us Never” is one of my favorites, a standout track with great duet parts that drove the crowd all cheering when Santamonica played it last Saturday in Bandung. On “Plainsong” and “Paper Dolls” you’d feel that Paul Staveley O’Duffy influence, ones found on Swing Out Sister releases circa Kaleidoscope World. Another favorite track, “Ribbons And Tie” is an excellent danceable track and should be perfect for single#2
Anindita Saryuf’s whispery vocal is improving, and treated as well as other instruments. A lot of verses are done with two different vocalizing. Here and there, the guitar sounds bring out the ghost of Sugarstar (Joseph’s other great band whose most of the songs ,sadly, haven’t seen the light of day ) resembling guitar/noise bands of the 90s, especially My Bloody Valentine. The other thing that will get you curious is the lyrics. Try to catch em sometime soon maybe.
The special edition of Curiouser And Curiouser compliments the fans with 1 bonus disc. Consisting the songs that won’t fit the feel of the album, but still trip you to another land . Most of them are from Santamonica’s earlier works including the dreamy “Anais Lullaby”, and some recall the touch of Danes (another Joseph’s former project). For visuals pleasure, the cd is enhanced with two videos (Wanderlust and Anais Lullaby) and packed with great artworks.
All in all, it is a joyful & surreal mind-adventure.
Am thinking spacey metropolis, city lights, colors and wonderland. Curious indeed.
Santamonica is out and about.
Go grab it now.
This was written long time ago and posted on my old blog.
The production is quite ambitious I’d say. It’s nowhere near 189 (their EP - 2005). The duo have a strong interest in analog instruments and the record shows a lot. You’d play it for many times just so you could re-discover the layers and actually enjoy the same song in a different way. I imagined that Anindita & Joseph Saryuf were curious and curiouser about the alternate results of the songs along the process, that it’s very possible they’d have so many outtakes (yum!).
“Wanderlust” the 1st single, is a playful one and a bit Stereolab-ish. “Better For Us Never” is one of my favorites, a standout track with great duet parts that drove the crowd all cheering when Santamonica played it last Saturday in Bandung. On “Plainsong” and “Paper Dolls” you’d feel that Paul Staveley O’Duffy influence, ones found on Swing Out Sister releases circa Kaleidoscope World. Another favorite track, “Ribbons And Tie” is an excellent danceable track and should be perfect for single#2
Anindita Saryuf’s whispery vocal is improving, and treated as well as other instruments. A lot of verses are done with two different vocalizing. Here and there, the guitar sounds bring out the ghost of Sugarstar (Joseph’s other great band whose most of the songs ,sadly, haven’t seen the light of day ) resembling guitar/noise bands of the 90s, especially My Bloody Valentine. The other thing that will get you curious is the lyrics. Try to catch em sometime soon maybe.
The special edition of Curiouser And Curiouser compliments the fans with 1 bonus disc. Consisting the songs that won’t fit the feel of the album, but still trip you to another land . Most of them are from Santamonica’s earlier works including the dreamy “Anais Lullaby”, and some recall the touch of Danes (another Joseph’s former project). For visuals pleasure, the cd is enhanced with two videos (Wanderlust and Anais Lullaby) and packed with great artworks.
All in all, it is a joyful & surreal mind-adventure.
Am thinking spacey metropolis, city lights, colors and wonderland. Curious indeed.
Santamonica is out and about.
Go grab it now.
This was written long time ago and posted on my old blog.