Originally appeared in issue: 17 (March 20, 2004)

Sugarplum Fairies

Introspective Raincoat Student Music

2003 - Starfish - CD

RATING:

From the first hesitantly-voiced notes Silvia Ryder sings on the Sugarplum Fairies’ Introspective Raincoat Student Music, the Nico comparisons will fly. And when the languid, slightly twangy guitars make their entrance after the first minute of the second track, "Touchdown or Fly," listeners will exclaim, "That sounds like Mazzy Star!" (Not altogether surprising since Mazzy Star drummer Keith Mitchell was on hand for the album.) But one would be wise to look past these comparisons and appreciate the Sugarplum Fairies for what they are: a talented band with intriguing lyrics and charismatic melodies.

Ryder’s breathy, hazy voice reveals her heritage – a slight accent colors her singing, giving it texture and character. The Vienna-born vocalist co-wrote all the lyrics with band mate Ben Bohm and the words hover around similar themes: heartbreak, disappointment, misunderstandings and wistfulness. But it’s not all gray skies – a twinge of hopefulness permeates the songs as well. This gives the record a decidedly bittersweet timbre, one perfect for facing a breakup or a melancholy Sunday. Lines like, "Memories like dead bouquets wrapped around with stale clichés," and "The silence between words always hurt the worst," and "You’re the one who calls it quits and I never thought we’d end like this," let you know these songs were written from a dark and authentic place. Perhaps the best line, one that demonstrates a hint of a silver lining among all the gray clouds, is from "Kraft Paper Bag": "Happiness is a bean in a paper bag full of dreams / Maybe the rain must fall to soften the soil." The simple and beautiful imagery of those words delicately enclose the message that even when things seem their worst, the rain always softens the earth to support new life and hope.

I could write all day about the exquisite songwriting, Ryder’s entrancing voice and the way the album wraps you up like a slightly scratchy yet comforting wool blanket. But what I really want to say is: how do you knit around someone’s face (see cover)?

Katrina Martin