Esben And The Witch - Violet Cries (Album Review)

ESBEN AND THE WITCH * VIOLET CRIES

(Matador)

There was this time in high school where I wanted to wear black nail polish and leather cuffs. I listened to a ton of Mighty Mighty Bosstones at the time, though, so it just didn't work. Current high-schoolers take note: if you've got true goth ambition and don't want to look like a sparkly Mormon vampire (credit to @AlecEiffel631), look no further than Brighton's Esben And The Witch for motivation.

Violet Cries, the debut album from the British trio, is gorgeous in its dark tranquility. It's filled with a layered complexity that's all centered around Rachel Davies' echoed chant. Take the first track, "Argy ria," for example. On the outside, it could be maligned as a schlock horror film soundtrack. Listened to closely, though, all of its parts are so intricate and delicately assembled that your expectations for the  rest of the record instantly skyrocket. "Marching Song" and "Chorea" honor these desires. Wanna scare the crap out of your kids? Play "Light Streams" right before they go to bed and you'll be sure to have them clenching their blankets as if the Boogieman's bigger brother is peering through their window. Despite their [never overly popular] gothic focus, Esben And The Witch display the same kind of accessibility that made oh-so-many people fall in love with The xx last year. A month-long US tour (that sadly doesn't currently include a Minneapolis date) should boost their credibility even further.

Now Violet Cries isn't an album you can just throw on at any time. It's not going to be your Summer BBQ soundtrack nor will it be suitable for a Sunday afternoon drive with your parents. It succeeds where it needs to, though. It gives us a dark & agonizing vibe that is not one bit forced; one that makes us pine for a quiet evening listen over a glass of Malbec...with the severed heads of various woodland creatures scattered throughout the living room.

Grade: A-