Album Notes

Jody Gnant describes her music as "Bohemian Geek Soul," and repeat listens to Pivot -- her first new album since the Treasure Quest soundtrack in 1995 -- prove that to be a perfect description. The "soul" part is most evident, especially on songs like the ballad "Eternally Grateful," where Gnant's four-octave voice sweeps along over lilting piano, and "Song in D," where she sings on the sultry side over bluesy guitar and a soulful organ solo, courtesy of Shea Marshall (of Phoenix jazz group Energy Trio). The "Bohemian Geek" side emerges in tunes like "Lower Level Ghetto Livin'," with its funky guitar, rhythmic vocal, and soaring organ, and "Lavandaria Sucia," which bounces with spirited, jazzy horns; a deep, roiling bass line; and borderline jungle percussion. Gnant makes this song about doing laundry sound fun, lyrically recounting a day at the wash with clever slant rhyme ("She's in her vest - she's on her ladder/She just works here - Don't yell at her") and ultimately, amused exasperation ("folding and folding and folding and folding/How much crap were these bags holding?"). Gnant's band brims with talent -- in addition to the aforementioned Marshall, Kristofer "Krow" Hill (of hip-hop collective Drunken Immortals, and Calo Flamenco) provides some stellar guitar playing, and multi-instrumentalist Adrian Goldenthal (also of Calo Flamenco, and formerly of Badshoe) has a heavy presence on the album, playing bass on most tracks and serving as engineer on the majority of them as well. Adrian's brother, Julian, drums on most of the songs; check out the fantastic drum rolls near the end of "From the Middle," a haunting song that sees the band stripped down to the trio of Gnant and the Goldenthal brothers. That song shows as much attention to composition as "Me Who Changed" shows attention to detail, the way it blends accordion, flamenco-flavored guitar, and deft lyrics like "matchsticks answers to burning questions." All in all, Pivot is the kind of record that sticks with the listener, whether one identifies with Gnant's introspective and stoic songwriting, or simply gets addicted to the melodies, which tend to stick around long after the CD stops playing.