Toytronica for the masses
Psapp
The Only Thing I Ever
Wanted
[Domino; 2006]
Brimming with a breathtaking array of sounds, Psapp’s (pronounced “sap”) 2006 release The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is nothing less than an aural delight.
English electronica-infused indie rock duo Carim Clasmann and Galia Durant employ a broad range of instruments, sampled sounds and noise-making toys to create tracks with surprising simplicity and mesmerizing melodies.
Psapp is often credited as the progenitors of the genre dubbed “toytronica”.
They use of a diverse range of sonic tools – ranging from traditional instruments to the sound of crumpling paper, drips of water and the noises produced by children’s toys – gives rise to a dynamic, almost organic soundscape.
The keen studio mastering of the album brilliantly blends streams of sound into a harmonious whole while avoiding the all too common error of being needlessly “busy.”
Less electronic than The Postal Service and more optimistic than CocoRosie, the band’s strength lies in its ability to create a quirky, innovative sound that places them in a musical territory that is expansive yet accessible and familiar.
The contrast of the opening track “Hi” with “Hills At Our Home” serves as a perfect example of the duo’s ability to progress through a range of moods and textures — from cheery and upbeat to somber and almost melancholic.
Lyrically poetic, the band’s treatment of common human themes such as romance and death avoids the vapid, empty nature characteristic of mainstream pop while Durant’s rich, sultry voice adds depth and texture to the impressive instrumentation.
While the album flows seamlessly from song to song, each track is strong enough to stand on its own. The Only Thing I Ever Wanted is one of those rare albums whose individual tracks are good enough to merit owning the album.