Vibes

Archives | RSS

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Opinion / News My Brightest Diamond shines

Posted By on Wed, Jul 8, 2009 at 10:14 AM

I am enamored with My Brightest Diamond, a band I only recently discovered through brainchild, Shara Worden’s, association with The Decemberists.

Captivated by some of the most memorable vocals I’ve heard live since Beth Gibbons of Portishead, I had to have more. I immediately downloaded My Brightest Diamond’s 2006 debut, Bring Me the Workhorse, and their sophomore effort, A Thousand Shark’s Teeth released in June of 2008, both on Asthmatic Kitty Records.

This is a band that deserves recognition, both records delivering Worden’s refined, celestial nature. Each listen reveals another layer of complexity; these albums are a tapestry of inventiveness, classical training, stunning string arrangements, and that voice which has garnered comparisons to the theatrics of Jeff Buckley and the seductiveness of Nina Simone. Yes, it’s that good.

Raised by what her bio refers to as “a family of musical wanderers,” Worden’s back story set the stage for such a siren’s life. Her grandfather was an epiphone playing traveling evangelist, her father a national accordion champion and her mother a classical organist. Her influences range from Spanish tangos to Sunday morning gospel, classical and jazz. Toss in a hint of punk rock attitude and degree in opera, and there you have the mélange which makes Worden’s music remarkable.

Check out the video for “Inside a Boy,” the opening track from A Thousand Shark’s Teeth and a live solo performance of “From the Top of the World,” also from their sophomore record.

Inside a Boy

Inside A Boy from Rafa Toro on Vimeo.

From the Top of the World

My Brightest Diamond - From The Top Of The World from LaundroMatinee on Vimeo.

Tags: , ,

Pin It
Submit to Reddit
Email
Favorite

More Vibes »

Speaking of...

  |  

Comments

Subscribe to this thread:
By Email
With RSS

Add a comment

Creative Loafing encourages a healthy discussion on its website from all sides of the conversation, but we reserve the right to delete any comments that detract from that. Violence, racism and personal attacks that go beyond the pale will not be tolerated.

Latest in Vibes

More by Beth Gilstrap-Barnes

Search Events

all events
concerts
restaurants
movie times

www.flickr.com
items in Creative Loafing Charlotte More in Creative Loafing Charlotte pool
Most Popular
Most Shared
Most Commented

© 2019 Womack Digital, LLC
Powered by Foundation