Angie
and the Deserters – Stay
Angie
Bruyere’s path is far from typical. The New York State native and Southern
California transplant might have a bi-coastal lineage, but her voice is steeped
in traditional Americana forms and she brings a ton of soul to everything she
sings. The latest release from Angie and the Deserters, “Stay”, focuses on the
band’s skill for crafting deeply felt and low key material without ever
sacrificing an ounce of vibrant spirit heard in their more energetic
recordings. Her experiences as an in-demand modeling talent seem far removed
from the rustic and unvarnished charms of gems like this, but something of the
same charisma and likability comes off of her vocal and lures listeners in. The
song betrays the more country and folkie side of her musical character, but
nothing feels or sounds like a pose. It isn’t difficult to believe everything
about this song is ripped straight from the pages of her own life and the
bleeding is painfully beautiful to hear.
It
comes through in every line. Angie has either lived this song, more than once,
or else she is fine interpreter. Both explanations are likely true. “Stay” has
a strongly lived-in quality thanks to the presence she brings to individual
lines and the overall vocal quality. This is a singer perfectly in sync with
the material and the obvious care she takes to shape her voice against the
arrangement is a highlight of the recording. “Stay” comes from a long tradition
in Americana and country music, but it never sounds like some slavish tribute.
Instead, the performance comes off utterly heartfelt thanks to the
aforementioned attention she pays to the music and the understated flair she
brings to the lyric phrasing. In the end, Bruyere’s voice becomes an instrument
in its own right and dovetails nicely into the band’s work.
The
violin playing that stands out from the band performance locks in with her
voice while providing a welcome melodic and tonal contrast. It often has a
slightly melancholy quality that the human voice cannot mimic, but also duets
with Bruyere’s singing to often magnificent effect. The acoustic guitar and
mandolin work are straight ahead and free from embellishment, but it’s their
solid approach that the song needs and they provide Bruyere’s voice and the
violin with a great foundation to work from. The words, as well, never reach
too far and suit the songwriting. This is a pretty widespread experience we’ve
all felt depicted in “Stay”, but the words leave things open-ended enough that
Bruyere can summon a variety of emotions for listeners to hook into. Bruyere, moreover,
sings with such emphatic feeling that she seems to be singing for all of us and
that effect will be felt by many listeners. Singles like this, from any genre,
aren’t so common anymore. Instead of feeling like it’s pandering some for our
attention, Angie and the Deserters’ “Stay” sounds like something torn out of
the band and beats with vibrant life.
Lance
Wright
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