An exquisite band name, evocative album art and gorgeous music characterize the new EP from the UK's Mermaid Kiss. Boasting not one, not two, but three gifted and distinct young female vocalists, the songs on Salt on Skin resound with haunting melodies, swirling electronics and beautiful singing that at times recall latter-period The Gathering but more often than not reveal a band (which also consists of three middle-aged male musicians) moving in its own direction and refusing to sound like any of the countless other outfits with female singers. "Hollow" and "Volcano" feature original vocalist Evelyn Downing and were recorded shortly after the release of The Mermaid Kiss Album, released in 2003. They, along with "Walk Away" and "Human Zoo" featuring interim vocalist Kate Belcher, experiment with jazzy piano, industrial percussion and ambient noise. The remaining three tracks – the outstanding leadoff song "The Blushing Bride," the searing social-commentary ballad "A Hard Row" and the brief but effective "I Go To Sleep" are sung by Kate Emerson, Mermaid Kiss' current vocalist. Her powerful and innocent voice mixes a bit of sweetness with the 'salt,' and her trio of songs emerges as the collection's finest and most promising – thus boding well for the future of this lovely, intriguing band.
Did I mention that "The Blushing Bride" is one of the best pieces of music I've heard all year?
Track Listing:
1) The Blushing Bride
2) Walk Away
3) Hollow
4) Human Zoo
5) A Hard Row
6) Volcano
7) I Go To Sleep
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