Sunday, 20 December 2009

Top ten 2009 - The Mummers, Tale to Tell

Once you hear this album, it comes as little surprise to find out that it was recorded in a tree house studio near Brighton, where 20 or so musicians spent two years climbing a ladder to access the equipment that would immortalise their expanse of orchestral contraptions. The subsequent abundance of sounds conjures up images of a travelling troupe holding court in front of whoever would listen. It’s not a coincidence, then, that they were christened The Mummers by their two lynchpins – vocalist Raissa Khan-Panni and musician Mark Horwood.

Tale to Tell’s orchestral nonsense creates a carnival atmosphere, with Khan-Panni’s sumptuous vocals and lyrical daydreams keeping this album melodic and approachable. It’s a bold, eclectic and vibrant romp that avoids alienating its audience. Expect to be transported to a world of make believe, but in a way that keeps you grounded. It’s good, eccentric fun.

What to listen out for.
March of the Dawn, Tale to Tell, Teardropsfall

When to listen to it.
Without wanting to mocks its brilliance, this should be the arrival music for any fancy dress party.

Will we hear them again?
Sadly, the treehouse studio that was home to this album also saw Horwood hang himself in September this year. I hope Khan-Panni manages to return to a studio, but her history as a musician seems to be an ill-fated one, and Horwood's untimely death will no doubt make it hard for her to come back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UMMu_KBRy8

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