Adventures with sound effects

CocoRosie seems to sum everything up very nicely on their song, "Japan." They state, "Life is like a roller coaster, it does flips and throws you over," while a pentatonic carousel of instrumentation merrily plods along in the backdrop. Sisters Bianca and Sierra Casady manage to capture the roller coaster mentality on all of their works. Unexpected twists, loops, varying speeds and feelings of exhilaration occur on their latest release, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn.\nThe album is playful but never too silly. With sound effects like battery-operated toys added to the mix, the album maintains a feeling of child-like wonder with a dash of sophistication. The album is imperfect and uncertain but wholly endearing. The works generates a feeling of joy akin to the feeling we gained as children when making up songs about whatever objects or places fell within our site. Obviously the lyrical content isn't as simplistic, but the emotion is on the same plane.\nWhile listening, the element that was most noticeable in the songs was not the in-and-out beats, watery synths, flute melodies or any other instrumental adornments but rather the impressive, albeit unorthodox, vocal work. Vocals are sometimes Joanna Newsom-esque and provide the glue that holds the songs in place. The chorus of "Rainbowarriors" sways in a blissful drone while "Houses" begins sounding like it was plucked out of a cabaret and turns into a sullen operatic aria. Vocal consistency is not a priority, but the unexpected changes in quality provide an element of surprise that keeps the album fresh through its duration.\nThe Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, however, falls into the category of albums with no commercial potential. It is entirely too eccentric and irregular to generate much interest outside of a community of people who are open to this much experimentation and deviation from the norm. Some may like it just because it is so different, some may appreciate it for what it is, and most people might just classify it as "weird."\nWhile the album often strays away from the safety of conventions of popular music, it provides a series of songs that can be anything from mischievous to beautiful and haunting. The hope of this humble reviewer is that CocoRosie might get the chance that they deserve. It's just like that roller coaster. You were scared before you got on, but once the ride is over, you're glad you experienced it.