Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions
Bavarian Fruit Bread
Rough Trade
This is the first full-length solo release from the former Mazzy Star vocalist (she released the EP At the Doorway Again last year), and while the presence of Mazzy guitarist and composer David Roeback is missed, fans of their spacey, ethereal sound will most likely find Bavarian Fruit Bread pleasing. Sandoval has always sounded as if she was awoken from a deep sleep to sing, rubbing sleep out of her eyes and trying to light a cigarette while lush chords swelled around her. No different here, although the music on most of the cuts sounds rather one-dimensional, existing only as the sparest backing for Sandoval’s wonderful voice. On the cuts “Butterfly Mornings” and “Charlotte,” Bert Jansch (Pentangle) provides guitar, and provides a fullness and complexity to the songs that the rest of the record lacks. This is not to say the record is poor – Sandoval’s voice is enough to warrant repeated listening, particularly when it’s late at night and most of the wine is gone – but after a bit, you begin to miss the sonic foolery of David Roeback. Sandoval is joined by former My Bloody Valentine drummer and lyricist Colm O’Ciosoig, but since there doesn’t seem to be any apparent drums on the record, you might wonder what his contribution was, but no matter. Hit play, lay back on large pillows, and float.
