A 24 Syllable Haiku (Clairecords)
by DJ Arcanus
Fans of dreampop, lookout! Isobella is back with a follow-up to their successful debut album that impressed MTV enough to be used in shows like The Real World and Undressed. But what makes them different? They have all the standard qualities of a dreampop band – trance-like melodies, soothing rhythms, and a dreamy voice (female, in this case) – though they also achieve a bright quality with the clear, ringing notes from the lead guitar. The guitar is used both to compliment the happier songs and to balance the darker drones on more melancholy tracks. Isobella’s influences seem to range from shoegazer to ethereal, as is apparent with the atmospheric backgrounds, drones, and aloof synths which enrich the guitars and vocals. The thing that sets them apart, however, is the talented voice of Laura Poinsette. For most of the album, she sounds like Melissa Mileski from Rosewater Elizabeth, though at other times, I daresay she sounds like Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins. To Laura’s credit, she combines elements from both these and other vocalists to establish her own voice. Overall, Isobella’s songs have a Cocteau Twins feel with more of a pop rock sound, making them more accessible to your average listener.
(PO Box 61495 Jacksonville, FL 32236)