The First
Law – Talking Of Michelangelo (Independent)
The First Law is singer-songwriter-pianist Nathan
Flaks, aided and abetted by Taylor Wilde on drums and minimal synths. “Talking
Of Michelangelo” is their debut record, a collection of heartfelt songs with
ambitious arrangements and roots in indie and cinematic rock. Names like Keane
and Jack come to mind, but they’re decidedly darker than the former, and not
quite so down-at-heel as the latter. Instead the New York duo concentrate on
their strengths, most of which lie in Flaks compositional talents.
The production is relatively spartan without ever
sounding lo-fi or too severe. Indeed, the back-to-basics approach employed by
the pair does much to showcase the splendor of Flaks’ songs – and the emotional
truths they’re exposing. Beginning with “Well-Placed
Stranger”, its orchestral effects are understated and discreet, but add
real impetus to Flaks’ fragile vocal. Guest singer Natalie
Knezevic does sterling work on the brittle “I See the Ghosts”, and “A Grand
Insignificance” sounds cluttered and unstructured on first listen, but reveals
much with repeated spins. I’m looking forward to hearing what they come up with
next time.
Phil S.
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