CD REVIEW: The Portraits - Timescape
By Don Sechelski - 03/22/2009 - 08:16 PM EDT
Artist: The Portraits Album: Timescape Label: Sensory Pulse Records Website:http://www.theportraits.info Genre: Acoustic folk/pop Technical Grade: 9/10 Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10 Commercial Value: 8/10 Overall Talent Level: 9/10 Songwriting Skills: 9/10 Performance Skill: 9/10 Best Songs: Bitter, Windfall CD Review:
Timescape is an
interesting new release from The Portraits. The driving force behind The
Portraits is the husband wife duo, Jeremy and Lorraine Millington. On Timescape they wrote, arranged, and
performed all the songs with the able assistance of Pete Judge on trumpet,
Simon “Fuzzy” Ratcliffe on flutes and woodwinds, and Lara Block on cello. Fuzzy
Ratcliffe co-produced with Jeremy Millington.
The Portraits’ sound is soft and breezy with Jeremy
Millington displaying a deft touch on keyboards while sharing vocals with
Lorraine Millington, an equally talented guitarist. Her vocal on Fame, with haunting harmonies, soars
above the beautiful piano/guitar arrangement. Her concise fingerpicking and mesmerizing
vocal on Bitter is contrasted with a
lyric that points an honest, accusing finger:
When all these things
of natural beauty turn against us
When the oceans all
resent us
And rise to attack
When the sunshine at
the hearth of youth’s aroma
Returns as melanoma
I can’t help feeling
What goes around comes
around.
In The Real World,
Jeremy Millington sings about reconciling youthful idealism with the cold reality
of day to day responsibility.
But you have
progressed into the real world
Domain of kids and
wives
How do those lesser
folk
Take your crusades?
Throughout Timescape,
the lyrical intelligence stands out with powerful lines, poignant observations,
and clearly described images. The vocal harmonies are warm and the playing is
flawless. The addition of flute, trumpet, and trumpet on some songs creates a
lavish sonic texture. The Millingtons are a formidable songwriting duo. Timescape is a
well crafted, entertaining CD.
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