Faith & Disease

Insularia (Ivy)
by Rowan-Morrison

If you’re ever booking bands for a Renaissance fair, Faith & Disease might be worth hiring, as the music on Insularia intertwines delicate female crooning with gloom-tipped tantalizing string arrangements. In other words, this release calls to mind 4AD and C’est La Mort’s ethereal heydays, as opposed to the Gothic quadrant in Cleopatra’s catalogue. On Insularia, F&D;’s fourth full-length disc, their songwriting is tighter than ever, yet even with the occasional flute, organ or violin, the most enchanting pipes belong to vocalist Dara Rosenwasser. Even though Rosenwasser’s sensual voice is perfectly complimented by the music, Dara’s hypnotic melodies manage to make her the focal point. Proving that they’re not limited to atmospheric antics, these Seattle-lites deliver an acoustic-driven rendition of the Cowboy Junkies’ “Witches.” Overall, there is a haunting quality to the music, but in a benevolent angel fashion, as opposed to a spooky Grim Reaper approach.