Baltimore (or Wham City as it’s known to its local scenesters) seems to be a happening city right now with Dan Deacon and The Videohippos making a name for themselves outside nationally and globally. Another such band is Celebration whom since the release of their debut album in 2005 has spent the last 2 years touring with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on The Radio while refining their sound in the process.
Inside the beautiful kaleidoscopic packaging is a band full of optimism. Their name is very apt as The Modern Tribe seems to be a celebration of life while fighting the lows with love as they with ‘In This Land’ (“They’re laying bombs in this land, how can the killing go on when our love is so strong”).
Lead vocalist Katrina Ford has a very original voice; soft but not twee, soulful and powerful but never overused. It’s not too unlike Karen O or PJ Harvey but much more dreamy. The bass constantly drives the music. But wait! There isn’t a bassist in the band but Hammond organ and Moog pedal bass. Like The Doors, it works wonders.
Essentially, The Modern Tribe is a dance record with real instruments of all forms including a variety of woodwind, brass and percussion. This makes, what could have been a pop record, a cabaret feel. It’s complex, it’s dramatic and you’ll hear something new with each listen. The downside is that with so much going on it isn’t the easiest record to get into and at times it may prove difficult to tell the songs apart, yet with time it is a rewarding listen.
