Well, Tiny Ruins and a Singer of Songs have been automatically bumped down a rating for sending a blank CD to be reviewed – but I’m sure that’s not their fault. If it wasn’t for the resourcefulness of a certain writer, well this review may have never made the lovely pages of ITM?
The duo are comprised of: Tiny Ruins, and a Singer of Songs. Two musicians, split by continents that got together in Barcelona for a week and Little Notes is what they came up with.
‘Little Notes’ is the first track on the album, and the most striking thing you may notice is H. Fullbrook’s (No first name, so the remainder of the review will sound like they’re on trial) voice is remarkably similar to Laura Marling’s dreamy tones. The song has very similar charm to that of Marling’s work, but it takes on a matured stance as the song progresses; Spanish guitar lacing through cellos whilst not being too heavy and remaining very beautiful.
‘Feathers’ has a magnificent orchestral sections towards the end of the track, it’s only brief, but again it shows the depth of some of these songs. Fullbrook’s vocal harmonies are soothing and verging on a lullaby oozing of heartbreak.
The first we hear of the electric guitar and male vocals – Tiny Ruins (L. Scheerlinck) I presume, is on the track ‘Lost Son’. Scheerlinck’s sombre drone puts a dampener on Fullbrook’s usually positively tinged vocals, but that’s to be expected on a song that’s clearly got a lot of personal significance.
The six-track album ends with ‘Please Don’t Forget Me’; a song that grazes ominously to a brash harmonic conclusion, but sums up the album perfectly as the perfect blend between despair and ecstasy; a theme that’s tangible throughout.
This album is a testament to the universal appeal of music. Fullbrook and Scheelinck’s passion and enthusiasm for music has led to a beautiful blank disc being in my hands at the time of writing.
On a serious note, the album is stunning at times, especially in its ability to create beautiful acoustic soundscapes, accentuated by whimsical lyrics and dreamy vocals – a package that’s quite rare to find in artists these days.
