Choir Practice - The Choir Practice

Like an infectious musical sewing circle, The Choir Practice grew and grew, secretly creating rich harmonies and conventional pop arrangements with a choral delivery until their first official show: opening for the always eccentric Antony & The Johnsons. Mint Records is very proud to introduce the debut from this ensemble, a featured act at the last two Mint Records Ridiculously Early Christmas Parties and runners up in Shindig!, the Vancouver indie rock battle of the bands. Choirmaster Coco Culbertson is no stranger to the Vancouver music scene (The Gay, A.C. Newman, The Tennessee Twin). Acknowledging the need for musical camaraderie, she recruited new and old friends including Larissa Loyva (P:ano, Kellarissa), Naomi Mepham, Olivia Fetherstonhaugh (Fanshaw), Jenn Chycoski (Pokiok Falls), classical music enthusiast Kristen Halliday, Chris Kelly (Gay Straights), Shane Turner (Love and Mathematics), DJ Scotty "Ska-T" Stewart, photographic sensation Karin Bubas, filmmaker Shira Blustein (Blood Meridian), Ida Nilsen (Great Aunt Ida, The Buttless Chaps), outsider artist/musician Sydney Vermont (Hello Blue Roses), florist Marcy Emery (Heartbreak Scene), and Kurt Dahle (The New Pornographers, The Basement). The resulting debut from this ever-expanding indie rock choir recalls the beautiful harmonies of '60s psych-folk sensations The Free Design combined with the unique song presentation of The Langley Schools Music Project. Album Description

Hipsters sing without irony

Fantastic! Sure there are better singers around--but this little gem is about sincere passion. It's got that early 60s innocence and clear eyed sincerity--which could be vomity. Instead it just makes me grin a cheesy grin and turn up the volume.

There's even a wonderful cover of the New Pornographers (Newman) "Failsafe" on here.

Fun stuff--I'd give it another half star, as I love anything with hand claps.

[...] October 2, 2007

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