The O’Darling – A Nice EP (2008) Review
I’ve heard about the The O’darling for sometime and wanted to review their 2008 release – A Nice EP before they released their debut album. While it looks like I’m a little late on that front (putting in a request and for sure you’ll see an album review by the time you’ve read this EP review).
Out of Toronto and a 6 member ensemble, the group plays down tempo orchestral baroque pop. It features 3 different vocalists in Jennah Berry, Ida Maidstone, and Chantel Edmond which interchange songwriting and lead vocals on tracks. This gives The O’Darling an advantage that simply most bands don’t have out there. The music they play is mainly down tempo and jazzy and giving their way to the ladies to shine. While I guess I can sum out my words by saying “they will wow and melt your heart with their voices” there are much more deserving of such a statement.
Musically, I was left pretty impressed after giving it a much deeper listen. It’s not exactly easy to make a down tempo 8 minute song (Bucket O’Berries) and then follow it with a 7 minute track (Bubble) on the same EP especially with the jazzy/down tempo style. But The O’Darling pull it off and while a 36 minute EP could be the same length of an album by some artists, the EP really makes you want to get their album right away. While they do have a main style and I basically pigeonholed in that, they showcase a more poppier, higher tempo style that they do just as well on Salut! and Beggin’ You Please.
That should be the point of an EP, to make you want more and to convert you into a fan in those few tracks.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Very, very well done EP. If you haven’t heard about this Toronto band, go and check them out already!
I’m putting up a track by each of the vocalists (since they do have a bit of a different style amongst them so I can’t play favorites – apologies to the band though if it’s too much tracks):
Bucket O’Berries by The O’Darling
Mooncat by The O’Darling
Beggin’ You Please by The O’Darling
Tags: EP
