(6-track demo)
Treading sensitive waters, Brody & Quint (in a similar set-up to Ben & Jason) are Rosemary Harrison and Mark Barlow. Calling their acoustic-based duo Harrison & Barlow might seem a whole lot more logical, but what the hell.
They are both here from Lancashire, and they�re producing a lovingly crafted, compellingly understated Alt.-folk-pop sound all their own, accompanied as they are in spurts by ace cellist Hannah Sharman and violinist Elly Lawther.
From their �Frozen Frame� to their �Roses,� via the title track (on which Mark sings) and �Return,� all is hauntingly bare and quite unlike most things you may have heard before. Rosemary has the uncanny ability to sound like a seriously sedated Bjork and projects her versatile voice with magnificent grace, as the backing acoustic guitar strums and finger-picks to weave a hypnotic enough spell to remind of subtly affecting bands such as Belle & Sebastian, or soulful Leeds indie outfit Bodixa.
There�s also ample proof that whoever writes their lyrics injects just as much thought and effort into writing them as they do the accompanying music, one highlight being the intriguingly ominous line �There�s no fear of the dark in my hips.� Assuming, of course, that I did in fact hear right.
There is not one whiff of angst, anger or ego anywhere on this refreshingly modest demo. To say their music and vocals are presented with utmost subtlety is a huge under-statement, and you CAN hear a pin drop. In fact, Brody & Quint�s/ Harrison & Barlow�s grandly humble music is honest and intimate to such a degree that few parallels can be drawn.
'20 Feet Beneath The Sea,� in that respect, is essential listening.
(Steve Rudd)
www.brodyandquint.com
Contact them by E-mailing [email protected]