The Bottom Line
Since he spent fall 2007 touring with Tori Amos, it's easy to talk of Yoav as a male version of Tori. The two artists definitely have some things in common, like oddly beautiful faces, ethereal auras, gorgeous voices, and mastery of a particular instrument. While Tori dominates the piano like few other females (or males, for that matter), Yoav displays remarkable skill on guitar, moving the instrument out of the string family into the world of percussion. Every sound on Yoav's debut album, Charmed and Strange, was made by Yoav and guitar. The effect is strange, to be sure, but also--and appropriately--charming.
- Hear the guitar make noises you've never heard before
- A male version of Tori Amos, at long last?
- Gorgeous voice + gorgeous guitar = gorgeous sonic experience
- Somewhat trite lyrics
- A few too many soundalike songs
Description
- "There Is Nobody" creates a rushing percussive rhythm that breaks down into acoustic notes, which continue but alter the beat
- "Beautiful Lie" features delicate, bell-like chords and dives into heartbreakingly delicate, echoey guitar work in the middle
- "Live" beings with a frantic beat, descends into slow plaintive reflection, and suddenly cuts off--as fleeting as desire
- "Sometimes" has a tick-tocking clock beat joined by Yoav's low, subdued voice and treads a line between gentle and boring
- "Angel and the Animal" is a subdued storytelling song where beats wash up on shore like treasured shells
Guide Review - Yoav "Charmed and Strange"--Album Review
Born in Israel and raised in South Africa, Yoav comes from a multicultural background, but his tunes are by no means "world music"--except in the sense that almost anyone can appreciate them. Ranging from deep, dramatic singing to near-falsetto interludes, Yoav's strong voice has an impressive, rich variety not often found with many "indie" rock type singers, who tend to take one tone and roll with it, speak-singing their lyrics. Yoav can really sing, and the range of his voice lends great depth to the album.
Musically, Charmed and Strange is gorgeously enjoyable, with the guitar noises stretching out to nearly violin sadness at times, and reaching up to vivid heights of happiness at others. The beats that Yoav drums out of his guitar are remarkably solid, and convincingly replicate the feeling of club music. Listening to the album is like diving into a lush sonic jungle with spots of sunshine and sadness, joined by bright colors and dark shadows. At times, it feels like a dark nightclub: acrid smoke offset by smooth drinks. The overall effect is complex, rejuvenating, and different from almost anything else you've heard before. Charmed and Strange is the perfect musical beginning to 2008.
Lyrically, the songs leave something to be desired. In avoiding soaring into the cryptic heights of Tori Amos's words, Yoav's lyrics often come across as simplistic. In just two songs, several uninspiring phrases show up, including gems like "blink of an eye," "roll of the dice," "the caged bird sings," "curled up like a cat," and more. It's as if, to compensate for the engaging originality of his music, Yoav felt compelled to dumb down his descriptions a little too much. Still, his clear conviction and masterful delivery make even the most hackneyed phrases come off all right.
Charmed and Strange comes out January 29, 2008 on Verve Forecast.