The Prom
Under the Same Stars
Barsuk
The Prom’s near-complete absence of a guitar leads to inevitable comparisons to Ben Folds, yet they have their own brand of sappy, melancholy piano pop. Instead of relying on the piano as sole source, they push the harmonic and melody barriers with, it seems, great ease.
Just like its packaging, Under the Same Stars is an intricate book that unravels the complexity of its characters on “Guarantees Aren’t Easy” and “A Note on the Kitchen Table” and the heartbreaking sadness of the plot and emotional tone (“Ink on the Paper” and “The City Gets Lonely”).
For instance, “(An Introduction to) Under the Same Stars” begins with an eerie horn and piano while the bass kicks with a subtle beat then a flutist plays a classical solo as the strings (violin and cello) provide more atmosphere: it’s a slow stepladder of harmony.
Barsuk Records: http://www.barsuk.com
