Sari Jordan
Perfect Be The Enemy
***and1/2 out of *****
For their full length debut, Sari Jordan artistically strolls through the ever changing facets of relationships in nuanced fashion. Perfect Be The Enemy finds Jordan's voice in the spotlight with free floating backing from a host of New Orleans musicians.
Recorded in at Lil Squeeze studio by Ajaï Combelic, the project was co-produced by Jordan, Combelic, and Robin Sherman, who also plays bass. Starting with the cover, the album reflects soft change and evolution in love and feelings. The opening "LION SONG" pulses to start building to a clanging finale while Jordan's engaging vocals draw the listener inside their world.
The successful pairing of "FREAK" and "TABLE OF ANGELS" are both accented with a lithe Caribbean inspired groove, using inventive bass and percussion behind the strong vocals as the tunes bounce along with a sparse, danceable folk feeling. "FREAK" brings in Chris Beroes-Haigis cello work while "TABLE OF ANGELS" is an album highlight as Jordan's voice soars passionately and the late arriving trombone from Olive Tuttle shifts things in unique and catchy fashion.
Jordan harmonizes with themself wonderfully on the acoustic focused "PLAY IT DOWN" which deals with honesty, especially to yourself. Skittering drums and excellent bass lines highlight "ROARING TWENTIES" as Jordan looks back on youth, the whistle laced "DYNAMITE ROAD" and the loping summer-time-stroll-while-your-in-love of "FANCY" are all sweet little gems.
Less successful are the break up outings. "GROW APART" is a bit long and dull and "SHOULDN'T DRIVE YOU HOME" mines the same lyrical vein, dragging a bit in the process. Much better are the piano accented title track and the light, rambling album closer "GOLD RUSH" which uses swelling musicality (organ, added percussion) while never overpowering Jordan's big voice, calling to mind artists like Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Lianne La Havas.
A confident debut that finds the artist still evolving, Sari Jordan's Perfect Be The Enemy is an understated slice of artsy indie-folk that showcases a lovely new voice on the scene.
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