22 Dec 2024
Ragamuffin Children - Album: The Seahorse Emporium (2009)
15 Mar 2009 // A review by Daniel Boom
I've been listening to the album The Seahorse Emporium by Ragamuffin Children. It's actually the first album I've ever heard. I was born last Monday and spent most of last week being potty trained and studying English. Then I got offered the opportunity to review albums for the muzic.net.nz site and th
I've been listening to The Seahorse Emporium by Ragamuffin Children. This album is their second; I haven't properly heard the first (Werecat Lullabies). I did initially hear five songs on My Space, three from the first album (and two from The Seahorse Emporium). "Reading The Stones" is good. But "More Of Me", that separates the women from the girls. Well arranged. Shuffle-like rhythm. Strong melody, movement and dynamics. Incisive lyrics. Well phrased. Tension just before arriving at a sober, resigned chorus. The clever simplicity of a good pop song. Not that it has to, but I imagine the song to be pliant enough to handle different treatments (eg. Pop, Country, R&B) It's a goodun. Probably the only of theirs I could imagine on commercial radio. Although I don’t think hit making is their goal.
Onto the album. This sounds a bit like ensemble music, due to the presence of certain instruments that could be associated with jazz, classical, or folk combos (clarinet, violin, cello, piano, accordion, double bass). This isn't a Rock OR Dance album (it would scare MTV). It’s not ensemble music either; it is vocal oriented. There's studio added sounds (e.g. teaspoon on dishware in "Teatime", rasping bow-on-violin in "Sleep"). There’s space. Elbow room. You can put an elbow in, put an elbow out - put an elbow in and shake it all about. Space: it's used. Or maybe it ISN'T. Have it your way... The group was presented to me as Folk music. But folk to me is pre industrial-age music, or certain music that was made before recording was possible. OR songs with a social message. Just because there’s acoustic instruments, I wouldn’t call it folk. Maybe I’d call it a tossed salad of instrumental ideas!
My favourite song is "A Fine Storm". For one thing, there’s a pulse. And sonic depth. In the foreground: a crisp, steady acoustic guitar part, with more muted electric piano tones. Interesting vocals with a chorus warning you to "Go quick, before the wind catches you-oo...". In the background: atmospheric acoustic piano fills; howling slide guitar. But through everything, there’s an astonishing synthesizer part, providing bass, plus an octave-jumping, siren-like effect and sustained-note fills further into the song. In isolation, the synthesizer is pure 1970s prog-rock era (think Rick Wakeman, King Crimson, Alan Parsons). Three other songs I like are "Snakes" (clever timing), "Digging Holes" and "Seahorses" (nice strings).
"Teatime" is my least favourite song. What can I say about it? It sucks the kumara. No feeling, let alone groove. No harmonic movement. Dull melody. "Teatime, for the Gods..." "...they'll take every diamond ring and jewel...". They'll also steal 2 minutes 50 from your life. They're subject to doing that. Watcha gonna do, shake your tiny mortal fist? Other songs that didn't do it for me were "Better Than Some", "Tincans", "Even Gold", "Sleep" and "Following The Leader".
I can guess that Ragamuffin Children are aware that music can be full of surprises if you get past the sensibilities and trends, and I admire them for not trying to paint by numbers.
I've been listening to the album The Seahorse Emporium by Ragamuffin Children. It's actually the first album I've ever heard. I was born last Monday and spent most of last week being potty trained and studying English. Then I got offered the opportunity to review albums for the muzic.net.nz site and thI've been listening to The Seahorse Emporium by Ragamuffin Children. This album is their second; I haven't properly heard the first (Werecat Lullabies). I did initially hear five songs on My Space, three from the first album (and two from The Seahorse Emporium). "Reading The Stones" is good. But "More Of Me", that separates the women from the girls. Well arranged. Shuffle-like rhythm. Strong melody, movement and dynamics. Incisive lyrics. Well phrased. Tension just before arriving at a sober, resigned chorus. The clever simplicity of a good pop song. Not that it has to, but I imagine the song to be pliant enough to handle different treatments (eg. Pop, Country, R&B) It's a goodun. Probably the only of theirs I could imagine on commercial radio. Although I don’t think hit making is their goal.
Onto the album. This sounds a bit like ensemble music, due to the presence of certain instruments that could be associated with jazz, classical, or folk combos (clarinet, violin, cello, piano, accordion, double bass). This isn't a Rock OR Dance album (it would scare MTV). It’s not ensemble music either; it is vocal oriented. There's studio added sounds (e.g. teaspoon on dishware in "Teatime", rasping bow-on-violin in "Sleep"). There’s space. Elbow room. You can put an elbow in, put an elbow out - put an elbow in and shake it all about. Space: it's used. Or maybe it ISN'T. Have it your way... The group was presented to me as Folk music. But folk to me is pre industrial-age music, or certain music that was made before recording was possible. OR songs with a social message. Just because there’s acoustic instruments, I wouldn’t call it folk. Maybe I’d call it a tossed salad of instrumental ideas!
My favourite song is "A Fine Storm". For one thing, there’s a pulse. And sonic depth. In the foreground: a crisp, steady acoustic guitar part, with more muted electric piano tones. Interesting vocals with a chorus warning you to "Go quick, before the wind catches you-oo...". In the background: atmospheric acoustic piano fills; howling slide guitar. But through everything, there’s an astonishing synthesizer part, providing bass, plus an octave-jumping, siren-like effect and sustained-note fills further into the song. In isolation, the synthesizer is pure 1970s prog-rock era (think Rick Wakeman, King Crimson, Alan Parsons). Three other songs I like are "Snakes" (clever timing), "Digging Holes" and "Seahorses" (nice strings).
"Teatime" is my least favourite song. What can I say about it? It sucks the kumara. No feeling, let alone groove. No harmonic movement. Dull melody. "Teatime, for the Gods..." "...they'll take every diamond ring and jewel...". They'll also steal 2 minutes 50 from your life. They're subject to doing that. Watcha gonna do, shake your tiny mortal fist? Other songs that didn't do it for me were "Better Than Some", "Tincans", "Even Gold", "Sleep" and "Following The Leader".
I can guess that Ragamuffin Children are aware that music can be full of surprises if you get past the sensibilities and trends, and I admire them for not trying to paint by numbers.
About Ragamuffin Children
After many years singing seashanty's and drinking whiskey, Anita has developed quite a lovely voice. Brookes many life threatening experiences at sea has given her an insight into lifes beautiful complexities which she now expresses through melodically written lyrics that flow like the tide...
The Ragamuffin Children like tea parties, living room concerts and singing about serious and sensible subjects such as war and poverty and also about whimsical things such as aliens and hot air balloon adventures.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Ragamuffin Children
Other Reviews By Daniel Boom
OdESSA - 'Bring Me The Head Of Pepe Lopez' album review
25 Apr 2010 // by Daniel Boom
OdESSA have put out a record this year called Bring Me The Head Of Pepe Lopez. Not a bad effort at all.
Read More...
ROY G and the BIVinators - The Rainbow Throw (2009)
13 Dec 2009 // by Daniel Boom
ROY G & the BIVinators(2009) The Rainbow Throw If I stopped by at your place for a coffee and some of your weekly home baking, which I must do soon, and this CD was playing in the background, I wouldn’t say “Hey, you can turn that off while I’m here” or anything, I’d be fine with it. But I’ve found that sitting down to this album and trying to remain attentive, well it’s like a form of labour (the reason for that being that overall the songs are just too lightweight and too fruity).
Read More...
Rebel Peasant - 'The Walls Of The Well' (2009)
08 Aug 2009 // by Daniel Boom
Hi! I'm listening to "The Walls Of The Well" by Rebel Peasant.
Read More...
29 Blackbirds - EP: 2AM (2009)
25 Apr 2009 // by Daniel Boom
I've been commissioned (asked) to review the EP 2AM by the group 29 Blackbirds. Not only do 29 Blackbirds bake pies, with pockets full of rye - they sing songs of sixpence too.
Read More...
Evermore - Album: Truth Of The World (2009)
17 Apr 2009 // by Daniel Boom
"Truth Of The World" I'll start by mentioning three of the stronger songs on the album "Everybody's Doing It" "Tonight On The Show" and "Hey Boys And Girls". They're concise and have strong melodies.
Read More...
Rare Shot Blue - Album: Where I Was Born (2009)
29 Mar 2009 // by Daniel Boom
I'm not a huge listener to Electronica or Dance music. So when I was asked to review the album Where I Was Born by Rare Shot Blue I said “of course I will.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
Custom Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
