Funny ideas with great atmosphere. Listen to them as much as possible.

I wonder if anyone out there remembers a group called Sparks. They were a quirky band that did mostly theatrical pieces more performance art than songs. Well, I’ve just heard a CD from England by a group called invocal and Sparks is alive and well. Uneven Keel is a delightful CD by the all girl band, invocal. It’s a little bit gypsy, a little bit theatre, a little bit curious and a lot interesting. It’s kind of like walking into an old English antiques shop and looking around. All four girls play and sing in harmony and the music is anything but boring. I found myself wishing I could see them live. There is a theatre element in their music that begs for live performance. Conversations to music, or talking as music. It’s very visual, very Mummers play but not always successful. I wanted to hear something like a verse-chorus at least once. But that’s just me. Don’t get me wrong. Most of the CD is great. Tinnitus and Me is delightful. I love the line….”you can’t leave the sleaze you’re buried in.” It’s so visual. Dear Friend, a great example of talking to music. “I’ve been trying to figure out exactly how to let you know that you’re awful and I hate you’. You can’t get much more conversational than that. Or Wondergirls – “you’re a weirdo, but I’m glad you’re my friend”. Or Ha Ha Ha Ha – tongue twisting word play that would make Eminem proud. This is definitely a Diva sound. These girls are very talented. It’s not for everyone’s taste but it’s good. They are planning a tour of North America soon and I would recommend checking them out. It’s a little like opening a Jack in the Box, a surprise that may startle then delight you. Worth it.

For those that don't know, Invocal are a Northampton based four piece all female acoustic band consisting of cello, guitar, clarinet and four part harmonies. Although this is their fourth CD, it is their first ever full length album, and you can tell the girls mean business this time. Since recording their last album, the band have been hanging around in folk clubs and festivals up and down the country – this has clearly rubbed off on their new material, which has a decidedly dark folky element glimpsing through their own unmistakable style. AS LIFE DISSOLVES is what I would describe as ‘classic Invocal angst’ – powerful lyrics, ridiculously complex vocal harmonies and a cello part that makes you want to weep. SMALL ANXIOUS WALTZ is a wonderfully quirky, bittersweet love song between two lesbians, don’tcha know. I wondered how a studio recording of TINNITUS AND ME would go – it is my absolute favourite Invocal song. It involves flamenco guitar, gypsy cello, a buffalo drum, the sound of tinnitus (eeeeeeeeeeeeee) and an insane climactic end. When played live it is an awesome (and sometimes hilarious) spectacle and although the visual element is lost, the excitement of the song remains. DEAR FRIEND is another live favourite – a worrying message to that special someone you’ve been pretending to like but really don’t. GIRL is a beautiful prelude to FLOATING, which is brilliantly produced with layered cellos and vocals. It is a truly haunting piece of music. Invocal’s twisted humour returns in THE WORST THINGS I'VE DONE THIS YEAR – an infuriatingly catchy ditty that conjures up the imagery of the girls playing badminton with a human heart, for a laugh. HORNSWOGGLED is a wonderful, jazzy, laid back song, with a poignant message (which I’m not going to get into here… in case I’ve got it wrong!). The snappily titled MADALINI'S AVERSION TO SMALLTALK HAD BECOME REALLY RATHER EXTREME is just fabulous - it sounds like a bit like a rousing Eastern European folk song, and pokes fun at Daily Mail readers – an easy target, but very pleasing nonetheless. PHOTOGRAPH is an anomaly for this band, as they’ve managed to resist adding any vocal harmonies whatsoever – it has just one vocal doubled over, and simple guitar, cello and clarinet parts – the result is just magical. WONDERGIRLS is great ‘feel good’ track, that they have played live for some time – I’m glad they have recorded it. HA HA HA HA is their super-quirky, demonic ending song, which includes drum loops and all sorts. It is a great song for the album to finish on, but I’m not sure how us Invocal puritans would feel if they starting getting handy with a drum machine more regularly – there would be riots I’m sure. I’m sure, because I would start them. Threats of luddite themed affray aside, an honourable mention must go to Hot Rock Studio, Northampton where Uneven Keel was recorded. The album sound is superb - a slick, professional production that retains the vital raw, organic edge that makes Invocal such a popular live act

On the surface it all seems fairly innocent. Four women, classical instruments, innocuous looking album cover….. but then there are the lyrics! ‘I heard a woman took to carrying a cross-bow, that way no-one was inclined to talk to her,’ is the opening to Madalini’s Aversion… And on Dear Friend, ‘I’ve been trying to figure out exactly how to let you know that you’re awful and I hate you, without hurting your feelings’. So knowing what I’m dealing with has got me a little sweaty at the prospect of putting a foot wrong. Though there isn’t any need to be nasty, malicious or overtly rude about Invocal’s latest album. Uneven Keel is part classical, part musical prose. At times it’s haunting, scary and disturbing. But like a great horror movie, it’s also what keeps things interesting. And amongst the chilling moments are elements of emotion and beauty that are truly amazing. This album’s not mainstream. It’s so leftfield it’s sitting in the stands with its feet up. In other words it's smart and laid back! For those who like something a bit different, and aren’t afraid of strong women, it should be at the top of your list.