Bodies of Water - Twist Again

The side-project of David and Meredith Metcalf, Music go Music, was a total accidental find for me. I think one of their tracks might have been in a Q radar thing or something - but it sparked an intense love affair with their album Expressions being a triumphant mixture of folk-rock and ABBA-inspired pop tunes that I've played endless times - I'd really recommend that album, or in the very least this track.

Bodies of Water however are their main venture. Their third album now, they've picked up a little buzz thanks to some courteous reviews from Pitchfork and the Independent - and whilst there's the departure of founding members Kyle Gladden and Jessie Conklin to mourn, there's a real sense that the band are a community spirit (in the same vein as Arcade Fire or the Leisure Society (a band I coincidentally found at the exact same time as Music go Music).) The duo at the core of the group are also expecting, which proffers all sorts of "new chapter" analogies that I can't be bothered to call upon.

Opener 'One Hand Loves the Other' may make an immediate nod to the artwork but it's a very tentative track musically. Instruments are implemented sparingly and carefully, building to a nuanced experience that for me has yet to click, even with Meredith in her best Karen Carpenter-alike stance. The cogs suddenly disintegrate with 'Triplets', a track as classically Motown as they come with its fun beats - which continue into 'Mary, Don't You Weep', a generous slice of 60s country-pop that Nancy Sinatra might have been quite proud of; there's a modern twist inevitably in that the electronic rhythms underneath are deliciously catchy, blending sublimely with the horns in the foreground.

A mellow introduction to 'Open Rhythms' however places violins against early Fleetwood Mac guitars, and it's a nice and quiet track throughout, but I think could do with some better vocals (whether lyrically or vocally I'm undecided). 'Rise Up, Careful' is equally moody with its clunky opening and morose vocals, but a ragtime rhythm kicks in halfway through and injects a bit of energy, taking the band down a slightly Dolly Parton, slightly Martha and the Vandellas route. A chipper piano introduction, 'Ever With Us' is probably the most eclectically-inspired, with trumpets, background vocals (Oooo!), strings and a prominent male vocal (for a change). The retro vibes continue into 'Like A Stranger', a little similar to Franz Ferdinand's third album (though Mr. Metcalf's vocal similarities to Alex Kapranos might be the cause of this observation).

'Lights Out Forever' will come as quite a shock to those who have heard 'Explorers of the Heart' or 'Just Me' - a trumpet pipes, subdued, perhaps by Meredith's beautifully sad vocal. The track sort of continues into 'New Age Nightmare' (although with David on vocal duty) before suddenly turning into a horseback chase halfway throughout with distorted horns and haunting background vocals. Never fear though, 'In Your Thrall' is sure to cheer us up a bit. A rapid reimagining of 'Open Rhythms' it serves well as a mood-lifter but I think they could've got away with ending on a dark note (thus paving the way for Music Go Music 2, admittedly). 'My Hip Won't Let Me' hints at caution and lack of direction, giving the band another Fleetwood Mac vibe (though not one that's healthy, surely) - "I'm leaning towards chaos now" they muse, as though unsatisfied with day-to-day events. They finish with 'You Knew Me So Well' which is a bit soppy ("Remember when you gave me your pillow?" is a genuine lyric) but I like soppy.


For me the first two records were a little difficult to get into. Perhaps as a fan of their more bombastic side-project I was hesitant to turn to a more chilled, mellow atmosphere - but here they're at arguably their most quiet and morose. But with such classical inspirations and Meredith's beautiful voice it's all pulled off ably - and there's a gorgeous selection of songs as a result.

Rating: 8/10
Highlights: Rise Up Careful, Mary Don't You Weep, You Knew Me So Well, Like A Stranger, In Your Thrall Again
Avoid: One Hand Loves the Other
Artwork Watch: Reminds me of those oddballs who go to yoga classes at the village hall every Thursday, and tried tantric sex once but decided it was just too weird. Or a pair of hands. Not exactly Michelangelo though. Then again, comparing all artwork to Michelangelo will leave me perpetually disappointed.