Cold Specks

I Predict a Graceful Expulsion

Mute

Aug 30, 2012 Web Exclusive By Sam Cleeve Bookmark and Share


The golden, honeyed tones of Cold Specks—stage name of Canadian songstress Al Spx—are hard to ignore. Her fervent gospel voice, full of heritage as it is, has boundless character to it: "Well I am, I am/I am, I am a god damn believer," she growls on "Blank Maps." Pairing this timeless voice with elegant production touches—the beautifully sparing use of a cello, offset by shimmering, upper-register guitar notes on "Holland," for example—allows these songs to fulfill their heart-stopping potential.

This set of modern-day spirituals has a pensive, subdued quality to it. Where her musical ancestors might have roared, Spx is content to keep things at a more manageable level. With a folk-y production quality that carries but never distracts from the main attraction-Spx's husky, soulful voice- Predict a Graceful Expulsion is a truly stunning debut. (www.coldspecks.com)

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