Torrez

Led by the spiritual struggling-for-peace vocals of Kim Torres, this New Hampshire four-piece beautifully characterises the sounds of damaged loneliness, abuse, autism and stillness. The surreal country/folk/slowcore ensemble seem to be the only others present in the aurally symbolic dusty old ballroom where the singer's voice spirit wanders about. With the recording aid of Jim Tierney at the Electric Cave in Portsmouth, NH, each number's vocal tracks are treated/recorded differently than the other and perfectly reflect the lyrical content, while pianos, drum kits, mandolins, ukuleles and guitars twang, creak and prance around them. Those who connect with Tom Waits, Sparklehorse and Mazzy Star should really lock themselves up in a dark room with this material. It's not depressing; it's just very, very nice.