aaamusic | On 26, Sep 2010

Adam Pierce is an artist that doesn’t really appreciate any form of labelling genres. Once you try to give a name to his sound, be sure he will catch you unprepared, carving new musical structures and creating new atmospheres.

In 2007 he enchanted with the indie-tronic sound of the same titled lp; in 2010, he comes back with ‘What it means to be left-handed’, an imposing orchestral masterpiece that reminds of Sufjan Stevens and the latest Mum.

The angelic voices of Kristin Valtysdottir and Laetitia Sadler are now replaced by Caroline Lufkin (remember ‘Murmurs’?) and Meredith Godreau (Moenie and Kitchi), and the result, if possible, is even better.

‘Kupanda’ is a Swahili ballad embellished by the liquid voice of Somi and the exotic sound of the kora played by Adam’s friend Abdou. The rest of the album has Jonsi’s joy, Animal Collective bumptiousness, and post-rock reminiscences a la Explosions in The sky.

This touch is given by the presence of the ex member of Codein, HiM, and June of ’44 Goug Scharin, coadiuvating Adam on the percussions.

I won’t be surprised of seeing this album in the best-of-2010 lists at the end of the year.

Author: Lorenzo Coretti