The moody “Hannah Leah” creeps in with a languid guitar strum beneath Rykarda’s rich voice before unleashing a choir of ghostly wails. “Arrival, A Rival” is another highlight with a sparse tumbleweed guitar twang churning with elegant piano into an eerie crescendo that would do Siouxsie Sioux & The Banshees proud.
“Night on Red River” kicks up the rock rhythm for a wailing PJ Harvey sound, while songs like “Lullaby for Blacktail” and “Candy Gold” barely lighten the mood with swaying and swaggering beats.
Parasol’s lyrics are poetic, ominous, and often morbid. The funeral of a friend in “En Route” and the racial violence of the Langston Hughes inspired “Lonesome Place” each paint a vivid portrait of death. But it’s Rykarda’s slinky, smokey voice that holds you captive, particularly when she plays the love-scorned narrator of “How Does A Woman Fall?” and the world-weary traveller in “Texas Midnight Radio”.
Rykarda Parasol – Hannah Leah (mp3)
Rykarda Parasol – Lullaby for Blacktail (mp3)
One Response to “Rykarda Parasol: Our Hearts First Meet”
I’m so glad you liked. She does sound eerily like Johnette, no? I’ve had the record for a while and can’t stop listening to it. Thanks for featuring Ms. Parasol, whom everyone should know.
And speaking of Johnette, I’m quite curious about the new solo record.