the organ: sinking hearts
I don't know what it is about the Organ, could it be the double entendre coming from this all-femme band, or perhaps its simply the soul-piercing sound of the hammond, but the Organ, well, it makes me randy. The sounds just dig deep, permeating every oriface of my body, penetrating bass, pulsating drums, luscious vocals, sensual guitars, and, oh, that organ.
This is dark and romantic, like the Smiths or the Cure, the rightful heirs to the Joy Division's happy-sad moldering sound. It's the dichotomy of romance and depression, the juxtaposition of loving and loathing. It's ugly but oh so beutiful. It's like the attraction I had to Claire Danes watching My So Called Life as a teen, it's not the figure itself, but their pain and suffering that attracts you to them. Yet, there is no pain in listening to the Organ. Just sweet melodies with a hint of Nosferatu looming in the background.
This is primally cohesive. The songs are simple (in some, the lyrics total three lines), the chord structures of bass and guitar are repetitive, the drums just hinted in the background, all showcasing the lack of complexity in the organ... but everything gels so tightly. As simple as each element sounds, together they're a tight whole, a uniform figure standing in the grey area of pride and pity. Everything fits so perfectly. Katie Sketch's haunting vocals draw you in, closer and closer, a sexy lilt, like Sarah Charles from Elysian Fields with a hint of Stevie Nicks. She consoles you while digging pins into your back.
This is gothic without the freakshow. It's mod with vampires and wolfmen. It's sex with a stranger who becomes your best friend. It's just so worth it.
Thanks to Mint Records, the Organ will be getting wider exposure (across Canada at least), and MP3s can be heard at newmusiccanada.com.