Plush
by Scott Hefflon
Beautiful. A simple name, a recognizable logo, a lot of spirit and energy in the music, photogenic members, and a gutsy, versatile, friendly and magnetic female vocalist. How’s that for a run on list of nice things to say/fine qualities?
Plush writes memorable songs that are catchy and singable without being trite and repetitious. Often jammed full and driving in your face, sometimes smooth and groovin’ and, of course, over it all are Sarah Reitkopp’s phenomenal vocals. The word sensuous could easily be plugged here. Without resorting to the breathy pop crap approach, Sarah belts out lusty lyrics that are appealing because they are honest and human. To focus on the audio/visual attraction is to miss the reason for the attraction. She sings passionately, raging against her frustrations and embracing her joys. Not to mention her range and accuracy are quite impressive. For some reason, male genitalia + “sy” seem to be the must apt superlatives for her style (i.e. ballsy, nutsy).
To overlook the songs as a mere backdrop for her voice would be to miss the power of emotional and expressive playing. Fuzz-saturated guitars, singing bass, and chipper drum licks create a setting in which Sarah tells the story. The performance is moving and personal. It draws the listener into the story and makes them a part of it. (I wish the demo came with a lyric sheet.) Their live shows have got the buzz going due to dynamic presentation of sound and sight. Their vintage fashion is not a time-bound addiction, but a blend of generations and styles to find what attracts them.
The six song demo, entitled simply Plush, is a must get. For those of you interested in such details, it’s actually a four track recording. It has occasional mic overloads and a lost note or two, but for once, the human factor adds to the pleasure. It actually sounds fuller and more real than many of the serious, slick, overproduced products on the market. This is not a product, it’s a band. Of the six songs, three have single word titles, one is a number, another has two words, and the trickiest has three whole words in it. The titles usually come from set lists after being called “the new song” for a while. I could name titles, sample lyrics, “quote” conversations I’ve had with them and so forth, but I’d rather leave it to you, the individual. See them, hear them, hang with them and be your own judge.
