The following product review was written for consumer website Ciao.co.uk which maintains listings of independent articles based on their product catalogue. The tone of Ciao is quite informal and all reviews are based purely on the opinion of consumers, hence the lighter tone than that found for other publications.
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Overview
Burlap to Cashmere started life as a New York club act comprised of Steven Delopoulos and from his cousin John Philippidis. Following their manager’s advice the band was expanded to a eight members (mainly through friends and family) for the production Anybody Out There?, Burlap to Cashmere’s first (and only) album. Classified as a Rock/Pop/Folk group, defining the musical style of Burlap to Cashmere is a complex affair, perhaps best described as latin american guitar meets pop with a little mediterranean stomp chucked in for measure.
Tracklisting
1. Diggee Dime
A stupid title, but a ridiculously catchy tune on a bouncy latin theme. A relaxed verse complete with spanish-style strumming and seemingly nonsense lyrics, the song leads up to a silly-sounding chorus where the band sing “Digigee Digigee Dime Dime Digigee Digigee Dime”. The song is actually about leaving your worries behind and enjoying life, deeper still it is the freedom of a christian believer freed from the worries of this life. The lyrics sound silly written down, but the infectious tune is guaranteed to have your toe tapping.
Best lyric:
So Kiss the light, seize the day
Shine your shoes, come to play
Sun is shining, sky is clear
Leave your worries with your fear
2. Eileen’s Song
A total oddity, Eileen’s Song is unlike anything else on the rest of the album and easily the most mainstream sounding of all the tracks due to the extreme “clarity”; the whole track sounds so clean and crisp. This was the first song I ever heard from Burlap to Cashmere on an obscure (now defunct) cable music channel, and it was this that made me hunt down this album. Heavy on synthesiser/keyboard to provide a background, the complex yet gentle guitar work at which this group excels provides the song’s impetus. The lyrics talk of a friendship and a commitment to support the other (perhaps the eponymous Eileen?) through the storms and situations of life.
The second best track on the album and one of the best songs I have heard in the past three years.
Best lyric:
It’s a long and lonesome ride
When your friends have all gone home
3. Basic Instructions
Following the slow(er) and contemplative Eileen, Basic Instructions starts deceptively gently before launching into a Mariachi-style guitar-fest which has quickly become a huge favourite with my kids. At less than three minutes in length, this song hurtles into a full-on Spanish carnival complete with handclaps and “arriba!” style vocals. The lyrics themselves are a recap of the biblical message of God’s love for humanity and the basic instructions of the title (“whoever remaineth in Him, Shall not die, but lift up”).
Best lyric:
For God so much loved the world,
That He gave His one and only Son.
That whoever believeth in Him
Shall not die but live on
4. Chop Chop
Another silly title based on the chorus, this tune is another slower affair still featuring the delicate yet complex guitar work which is a trademark of Burlap to Cashmere yet managing to slip an almost gospel-sounding organ into the final chorus. Catchy and upbeat, the lyrics don’t make a lot of sense and I really can’t explain what the song is about although it seems to deal with culture clashes and human injustices (such an approach hasn’t stopped Oasis shifting a lot of terrible records based on the same premise but I find Burlap to Cashmere’s music far more palatable!). Not a bad track, but not great either.
Best lyric:
Chop Chop, tongue, tongue
That’s where we’re from
5. Anybody Out There?
The title track of the album starts quietly with a single guitar, two voices and a low humming synth which lends an incredibly “clean” sound to the first verse. Come the second verse however, the tempo picks up as the lead singer is joined by a quickened guitar and bongos before launching into the chorus at which point he is rejoined by the Mariachi guitarists. This song has a singalong chorus and an upbeat tempo despite the melancholy lyrics which seems to work really well. The song itself deals with man’s quest for a meaning – does anyone else apart from the singer see a meaning in life and more importantly, do they see Jesus as that meaning? The best track on the album – excellent.
Best lyric:
Is there anybody seeking?
Does anybody see
Or are they deaf and dumb like me?’
6. Treasures in Heaven
Slower than most, this track is more mainstream than most yet lacking the cleaness of sound found in Eileen’s song. The bass and electric guitars play a greater part in this track (usually they are relegated below the acoustic guitars) but the lead guitarist sounds like he is trying to introduce some country music into the lineup, and yet it still works despite the ecelctic mix of musical styles demonstrated on the rest of the album. The lyrics talk of the biblical principle that treasures should be stored up in Heaven rather than amassed worthlessly on Earth.
Best lyric:
She looked at me funny,
With compassion in her eyes
7. Skin is Burning
Starting with a single guitar and vocalist, for the first verse this tune suddenly introduces a synthesiser and additional guitars to create a grandiose orchestral sweep before somehow moving effortlessly into to a latino beat crossed with classical guitar, all without making the whole tune fall apart come the chorus. The lyrics speak obtusely of the struggle between the flesh and spirituality, particularly with the fleeting temptations of carnality. Very deep if you want to look…
Best lyric:
And my skin in burning
With the fire of the world.
8. Divorce
All albums have a weak track and this is it. The song starts with some weird, faraway vocal work over tribal beats before morphing into an arabesque string section and then back into a latin sound, all within the space of a minute. Divorce speaks of the collapse of a marriage, comparing the appearance of others in the street with the failing relationship of the singer who feels that they have not received from a relationship into which they have given much. The conviction of the vocalist leaves little doubt that this song is very personal and the hurt very real, but I still skip this one out of habit.
Best lyric:
Love must go both ways
But now the only way was me,
So I must leave before I fall
Into your twisted misery.
9. Good Man
After the venom of divorce, this track is quite gentle and far more upbeat with a joyful chorus which brings relief after the misery before. This is one of the few tracks on the album which does not use multiple guitars, instead a cross of folk and country with a bit of 1980′s nostalgia. The song uses the example of a man who has lived a good life but experiences unhappiness as a metaphor for us all as we look for meaning and love and how if we do not find God we may fall away.
Best lyric:
Got his mother, she don’t listen
And his father, hated his old man
But you listened to his feelings
And your eyes consistently understand
10. Scenes
A thumping bass guitar and a marching beat jar against the upbeat joy of the previous track. Yet despite the latino guitars adding an intresting layer of playfulness to the verses, the song descends into madness with someone muttering something incomprehensible, horses neighing and soldiers cheering. Another weak point which makes this tune instantly skippable. The lyrics don’t seem to make much sense either….
Best lyric: None unfortunately.
11. Ancient Man
Similar in sound to Good Man, this tune marks the return of the bongos and gospel-organ to the line-up with an up-tempo beat to relieve the shock of the previous tune. Sounding not unlike Paul Simon, Ancient Man is a conversation between a man and the Devil as the man renounces the temptations of evil as they simply ensnare his soul. A toe-tapper rollercoaster that speeds towards it’s conclusion.
Best lyric:
You came to me with open arms, and stuff.
You said you had holy bread.
Man, ya know that was just wonder bread.
12. Mansions
A song obviously of it’s time as it is an example of the generic 90′s rock/pop sound although this is not a criticism as Burlap to Cashmere actually do that sound pretty well! A mainstream, westernised track to finish the album the spanish guitars are replaced by earnest piano playing, pop guitar work and a gospel choir. A plea for change of the heart, Mansions talks of the desire to rid oneself of sin and instead develop a passion for God.
Best lyric:
Pride and hate, they live inside me.
I need your love enough to guide me.
Conclusion
One of my favourite albums of recent years, Anybody Out There? is a true rarity, successfully melding several world music genres not only into a single album but often into individual tracks. The highlights of Eileen’s Song and the eponymous Anybody Out There? are truly brilliant and easily cancel out the weaker tunes. Singalong choruses and interesting lyrics nestle comfortably with tunes played by musicians of great ability.
It is a shame that Burlap to Cashmere only managed to make the one full album. Recordings made at “The Bitter End” club in New York exist but add nothing to their only studio album; most simply contain live versions of the same songs.
I would strongly recommend this album for anyone as an introduction to westernised world music – my kids have certainly learned to appreciate more complex musical styles since listening. The underlying sprituality of the songs should also not deter the casual listener as the lyrics are complex and communicate on many different levels, not unlike those of U2 although this is a totally different musical genre. A gem from times past which is still as fresh ten years after it’s release. A+
Links
Burlap to Cashmere homepage: www.burlaptocashmere.com
reviews a month of supplied albums according to the writing styles specified by Cross Rhythms.
