Noah's Ark (album)
Encyclopedia
Noah's Ark is the second album by sister duo CocoRosie
. It was released on September 13, 2005 by Touch and Go Records
. In addition to the group's two core members, Bianca and Sierra Casady, the album includes collaborations with a number of other musicians including Antony Hegarty
, Devendra Banhart
and Spleen.
Although there is only a 2 year age difference between them, the sisters were not close as children. After many years apart, Bianca joined Sierra in Paris in 2003. It was at this time that the sisters came together to form CocoRosie and create music, referred to by some as, "freak folk
". Their first album, La Maison de Mon Reve
, was created in an apartment in Paris and released in 2004 on Touch and Go Records.
The album was compiled in many different locations as the sisters traveled in the wake of their previous album. The pursuit of intimate venues lead to, as Sierra put it, "pulling over on the side of the road and just recording in a field, or taking a moment in a barn in the South of France, or a studio in Brooklyn."
provides vocals and plays piano on "Beautiful Boyz", an ode to French novelist, playwright, and convicted felon Jean Genet
, while Devendra Banhart lends his singing voice (via phone) to "Brazilian Sun". The opening rhymes of "Bisounours" come courtesy of French rapper Spleen.
The album also lists Greg Rogove, Diane Cluck
, Jana Hunter
and Ardzen as "contributing artists."
Although some of the album's reviews were positive, some critics disagreed claming, "Noah's Ark is more hypnotic and infiltrating than their enchanting (but short shelf-lived) debut, Le Maison de Mon Reve, but ultimately less magical." Other viewpoints were expressed about the contributing artists on the album and how "…the best offerings inevitably arrive in the presence of Antony and Devendra Banhart, whose guest appearances enhance and possibly upstage their lovely hosts."
CocoRosie
CocoRosie is a musical group formed in 2003 by sisters Bianca "Coco" and Sierra "Rosie" Casady. The sisters were born and raised in the United States, but formed the band in Paris after meeting for the first time in years...
. It was released on September 13, 2005 by Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records
Touch and Go Records is an independent record label based in Chicago, Illinois, USA.After its genesis as a hand-made fanzine in 1979, it grew into one of the key record labels in the American 1980s alternative and underground rock scenes, Touch & Go carved out a reputation for releasing adventurous...
. In addition to the group's two core members, Bianca and Sierra Casady, the album includes collaborations with a number of other musicians including Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons.-Early life:...
, Devendra Banhart
Devendra Banhart
Devendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
and Spleen.
Background
Bianca and Sierra Casady are the sister act behind CocoRosie, whose name originates from the nicknames given by their mother; "Coco" (Bianca) and "Rosie" (Sierra). The sisters spent their childhood years living throughout the Southwestern United States and Hawaii. They developed an interest in music at an early age and enjoyed making up songs as children. Collectively, the sisters have a vast background. Bianca, who worked as a model at one time, sang and wrote songs. Sierra, who once wanted to go into the Army, pursued classical opera throughout high school.Although there is only a 2 year age difference between them, the sisters were not close as children. After many years apart, Bianca joined Sierra in Paris in 2003. It was at this time that the sisters came together to form CocoRosie and create music, referred to by some as, "freak folk
Freak folk
Freak folk is a genre of folk music associated with contemporary artists such as Faun Fables, Animal Collective, Davenport, Devendra Banhart,CocoRosie, Panda Bear, Kelli Ali, Joanna Newsom, Bowerbirds, Woods, Greg Weeks, Hecuba, Akron/Family, Rio en Medio, Birdengine, Sufjan Stevens, Sean Hayes,...
". Their first album, La Maison de Mon Reve
La Maison de Mon Rêve
La maison de mon rêve is the first album by CocoRosie, released on March 9, 2004 by Touch and Go Records. It was re-released in Australia in 2007, including a bonus track, "Beautiful Boyz"....
, was created in an apartment in Paris and released in 2004 on Touch and Go Records.
Recording
The album features both sisters on vocals with more traditional instruments such as guitars and harps layered over a multitude of unconventional items cast in the role of instruments. The song, "Bear Hides and Buffalo" for example, includes a loop of horses neighing and cats meowing over a toy piano hook. Upon the release of Noah’s Ark, Bianca described the group’s sound as "sort of an eclectic montage," saying, "[w]e float around between a few different instruments and use a bunch of unconventional percussion things. Like toys."The album was compiled in many different locations as the sisters traveled in the wake of their previous album. The pursuit of intimate venues lead to, as Sierra put it, "pulling over on the side of the road and just recording in a field, or taking a moment in a barn in the South of France, or a studio in Brooklyn."
Collaborations
The album features contributions from a variety of other musicians. Antony Hegarty of Antony and the JohnsonsAntony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons is a music group presenting the work of Antony Hegarty and his collaborators.-Career:British experimental musician David Tibet of Current 93 heard a demo and offered to release Antony's music through his Durtro label. The debut album, Antony and the Johnsons, was released...
provides vocals and plays piano on "Beautiful Boyz", an ode to French novelist, playwright, and convicted felon Jean Genet
Jean Genet
Jean Genet was a prominent and controversial French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. Early in his life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but later took to writing...
, while Devendra Banhart lends his singing voice (via phone) to "Brazilian Sun". The opening rhymes of "Bisounours" come courtesy of French rapper Spleen.
The album also lists Greg Rogove, Diane Cluck
Diane Cluck
Diane Cluck is an American singer and songwriter of intuitive folk. Although known as a solo performer, she has often collaborated with others, including a recent association with drummer Anders Griffen on tours in the US and UK....
, Jana Hunter
Jana Hunter
Jana Hunter is a Baltimore-based songwriter and musician. She was born in Texas and is currently a member of Lower Dens.She is signed to Gnomonsong, a new record label run by Devendra Banhart and Vetiver's Andy Cabic...
and Ardzen as "contributing artists."
Reception
Noah’s Ark was well-received by critics domestically and internationally. MusicOMH London writer Michael Hubbard wrote, "Noah's Ark has a dreamlike quality to it." Sarah Peters, a former music editor and staff writer for LAS wrote, "Symbolically, the guiding light is important to all who have journeyed on Noah's Ark, and CocoRosie have presented a lesson in love, through hardship, that may not have been as powerful otherwise." In comparison to the sisters' previous work, writer Johnny Ray Huston of the San Francisco Bay Guardian noted, "Their new album, Noah's Ark (Touch and Go), has a more restless feel than their debut – the scratchy, tiny, Victrola-sounding vocals of La Maison sometimes give way to a more naturalistic recording style." Another review came from Heather Phares, writer for allmusic, who commented on the album’s vibe in particular. "There's a lot of power in the album's darkness, particularly on the apocalyptic campfire singalong "Armageddon""Although some of the album's reviews were positive, some critics disagreed claming, "Noah's Ark is more hypnotic and infiltrating than their enchanting (but short shelf-lived) debut, Le Maison de Mon Reve, but ultimately less magical." Other viewpoints were expressed about the contributing artists on the album and how "…the best offerings inevitably arrive in the presence of Antony and Devendra Banhart, whose guest appearances enhance and possibly upstage their lovely hosts."
Track listing
- "K-HoleK-holeAt sufficiently high doses of the drug ketamine , it is common to experience a "K-hole". This is a slang term for a subjective state of dissociation from the body which may mimic the phenomenology of schizophrenia, out of body experiences or near death experiences, and is often accompanied by...
" – 4:10 - "Beautiful BoyzBeautiful BoyzBeautiful Boyz is an EP by CocoRosie, released on September 14, 2004. The first two songs are the same as their namesakes on the band's first album, La maison de mon rêve. The eponymous song, however, differs with respect to the version found on Noah's Ark, on this version a refrain is not sung by...
" – 4:37 - "South 2nd" – 4:09
- "Bear Hides and Buffalo" – 4:14
- "Tekno Love Song" – 3:54
- "The Sea Is Calm" – 3:39
- "Noah's Ark" – 4:13
- "Milk" – 0:34
- "Armageddon" – 4:04
- "Brazilian Sun" – 4:38
- "Bisounours" – 4:06
- "Honey or Tar" – 2:08
- "Oh Sailor – 3:50 (Bonus Track Australian CD)
Charts
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| French Albums Chart | 62 |
| Dutch Music Charts MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
98 |