MindMap-SA Issue 7

ReviewsThrowback musicIf all things are considered this is most likely one ofthe most unique albums that is likely to come outthis year. It possesses a creative rational that is wellrounded and shows a musician that so early on in hercareer is almost at the apex of musical precision. LizGreen is a haunting persona. Her voice is a litany ofinfluences. This in many ways is a throwback album and an acknowledgmentof musical traditions fleeting. The opening track,Hey Joe is a masterful and rendition of the same song by legendaryrock-star Jimi Hendrix. What Green has done is turned themelody on its self, employing light guitar pinches as an accompanimentto her vocals. The result is a linear motion that makesthe song more grounded and calmer than its original version.One of the things that makes this album a purge on contemporarymusical dogma is the sheer power of the songwriting.Now there is a difference between writing lyrics and songwriting,as a writer Green seems to be coming into her ownin the latter. She employs metaphor not as a crutch or randominsertions without meaning but instead as an aid throughwhich she carts her ideas about life, love and bad medicine.This is an offering tailor made for steady ears and easy listen.Something about the way Green annunciates on this album remindsme of Astrud Gilberto. As a vocalist she does not focuson clarity of voice but rather she plays of the melody, insertingherself in the silences and above the musical bars resulting aweird and affective melodic pattern. On tracks like Luis, we getthe feeling of an artist who would have fitted perfectly into a 50’sand 60’s template of smoky club performances. The trombonesection of this song is near perfect, rushing past and coming backin off the beat and creating a chaos where the melody comes inand out and is not a permanent feature. Green infuses a moreup-tempo element to the song by almost rushing her singing.