-isq: -isq (2013)

Bruce Lindsay

CD/DVD Reviewer since 2008

Bruce is the author of the blog Delicious Hot Disgusting Cold, and the photoseries "It's Not How It Sounds".

Recent articles (505 total)

Published: February 25, 2013

Type -isq into Google and the legend "Your search— -isq —did not match any documents" appears. Add quotation marks and try again: this time around 6.5 million results appear and in among the links to Information Standards Quarterly and Integrated Systems Queensland up pops the website for London-based quartet -isq. This eponymous debut from the band, led by singer Irene Serra, is full of beautifully crafted original songs, performed with a pleasingly individual style. It can't be long before Google knows exactly where to find -isq.

Serra and the instrumentalists—Richard Sadler Richard Sadler
, formerly bassist with the Neil Cowley Neil Cowley
b.1972
piano , John Crawford John Crawford

piano on piano and Chris Nickolls Chris Nickolls
on drums—are exemplary. Nickolls, whose credits include work with saxophonists Tommaso Starace Tommaso Starace
b.1975
saxophone and Andy Sheppard Andy Sheppard
b.1957
saxophone , is a vibrant player who can readily shift from simple, light-touch patterns to heavier, rock-influenced beats. Crawford has worked with percussionist Airto Moreira Airto Moreira
b.1941
percussion and saxophonist Gilad Atzmon Gilad Atzmon

saxophone , and his reputation is growing within Latin and jazz music: he and Sadler move between frontline and rhythm section roles with impunity. Crawford's command of dynamics is impressive; his delicate playing on "Unforgettable You" sets the perfect mood for Serra's regret-filled vocal, while his more percussive approach joins Nickolls' powerhouse drums in driving songs like "Simple Things" or "Etude: A Study In You And Me" forward.

Two aspects of -isq give the band a special edge: Serra's world-weary but captivating vocals; and the interplay between singer and bassist. Serra's voice is graceful and sensual, an occasional added vibrato giving it a hint of the chanteuse. The sound is beautiful but melancholy, a match for her lyrics. The message from many of these songs seems to be that disappointment is the ultimate end to every romance, so it's best to prepare for it from the first kiss. Thankfully, it's not all so downbeat. "Night creeps in. Dirty dirty thoughts of him" she sings on the slinky "This Bird Has Flown," but even here the title reveals a far from happy tale.

Sadler's playing is tight, powerful and positive—and a perfect complement for Serra's vocals. Even when Sadler plays slowly and sparingly, as he does on "Walking Wounded" and "This Bird Has Flown," he's an emphatic presence, heightening Serra's emotional impact. His solo on "TV Face" is a master class in combining strength, groove and melody.

-isq's emphasis on the less joyous elements of love and romance doesn't lead to the world's cheeriest collection of songs, but it does result in some very beautiful and emotionally engaging ones. -isq is a strikingly mature debut; disappointment never felt so good.

Track Listing: Ill Wind; Pictures On My Mind; This Bird has Flown; TV Face; Walking Wounded; Johnny's Fallen; Unforgettable You; Simple Things; Etude: A Study In You And Me; The Loneliest Of Dreams.

Personnel: Irene Serra: vocals; John Crawford: piano; Richard Sadler: double bass; Chris Nickolls: drums.

Record Label: Cheesepeas Records