Marybell Katastrophy
4 songs
self-released
Talk about a name with a built-in contradiction! Marybell Katastrophy, best known from her regular gig with Denmark's Tiger Tunes (she's "Marie"), has a first name that evokes sweetness, flowers and old-fashioned femininity, but add an unsettling last name like "Katastrophy" and you've got a major bit of conceptual duality going on. There's some of that in the music on this fascinating solo EP, too. Of the 4 songs, two ("Hey Frank" and "His desperate voice") are basically ballads, although that first song puts out a fierce burst of energy after alternating verses (MK evokes a bit of Sinead O'Connor in the timbre of her voice and a sense of fiery conviction battling with uncertain emotions). But on the other two songs, "Hidden agenda" and "Lost ship", Marybell serves up generous slices of chugging, eclectic electronica that are mesmerizing. A loopy synth loop grabs you and won't let go on "Hidden," and MK matches it with a vigorous, appealing vocal that's drenched with character. "Lost ship" has to be the highlight, though. This tune is three and a half minutes of bleepin' electropop weirdness, with smooth male-female harmonies competing for attention with the eccentric arrangement. Halfway through there's one of the most startlingly original moments I've heard on a disc in months, with an "electronic critter" making strange high-pitched utterances while tart backing harmonies and another powerful main vocal take turns blowing your mind. It's truly riveting. I was sorry this EP ended; Ms. Katastrophy definitely left me wanting more. How about a full-length, Marybell? You've got the smarts--and the art--to make that a stellar proposition
- Kevin Renick