Haunting vocalist Carla Bozulich returns with another monster record of fractured punk poetry thats slyly forceful. Naming this band after her critically acclaimed 2006 Constellation debut, Bozulich conjures an extroverted, energetic set of arrangements for her dark but often playfully blunt wordplay on Hello, Voyager. Though things begin with familiarly ambient drones on "Winds of Saint Anne, Bozulich charges into the song with an otherworldly incantation. The songs abstracted soundtrack, aided by members of A Silver Mt. Zion, gives way to the multitude of stomping drums that propels the ironically titled "Smooth Jazz, which has the ominous feel of the Jesus Lizard, with Bozulich twisting into David Yows sense of phrasing and humour. "Lucky Lucky Luck is a subversive lounge act, while "Truth is Dark Like Outer Space gallops forward out of New York guitar skronk into New York art-rock. Album highlight "The Blue Room is a wonderfully crafted set of verses rendered with grace by Bozulich and a soaring string section. Hello, Voyager is endlessly compelling and a more than fitting introduction to Evangelista.
Does Hello, Voyager fulfil your vision for these songs?
Bozulich: My vision for my music is that there not be a vision until its finished. A lot of things have discipline, structure and instruction but, for the most part, I try to stand back and be surprised, especially because I can afford to with such amazing players.
Is there a central lyrical motif?
I knew that "Hello, Voyager was going to be the flagship piece [laughs], that I wanted this swashbuckling, Armageddon thing to do with the line, "This is what I dont want people to see. I like to dig deep to really dark places, but whats probably kept me going is that I can step back and laugh maniacally because everything is so absurd. Really, all we have left after weve analysed that is each other, which is what Hello, Voyager is about.
What about Constellation and Montreal compels you to visit Quebec to make music?
I mean, I [re-]made Red Headed Stranger. That had Willie Nelson on it and took me years to find a label to put that out. I cant tell you how incredible it is to be on a label thats conscientious and loves me. Then, when you get into the musicians, its almost like, "pinch me, am I dreaming? I get choked up just thinking about it!
Does Hello, Voyager fulfil your vision for these songs?
Bozulich: My vision for my music is that there not be a vision until its finished. A lot of things have discipline, structure and instruction but, for the most part, I try to stand back and be surprised, especially because I can afford to with such amazing players.
Is there a central lyrical motif?
I knew that "Hello, Voyager was going to be the flagship piece [laughs], that I wanted this swashbuckling, Armageddon thing to do with the line, "This is what I dont want people to see. I like to dig deep to really dark places, but whats probably kept me going is that I can step back and laugh maniacally because everything is so absurd. Really, all we have left after weve analysed that is each other, which is what Hello, Voyager is about.
What about Constellation and Montreal compels you to visit Quebec to make music?
I mean, I [re-]made Red Headed Stranger. That had Willie Nelson on it and took me years to find a label to put that out. I cant tell you how incredible it is to be on a label thats conscientious and loves me. Then, when you get into the musicians, its almost like, "pinch me, am I dreaming? I get choked up just thinking about it!
