  
|
|
|
|
Imagine an empty room, huge picture window from floor
to ceiling. It's night. The room is lit only by the moon. You are alone
with your senses -- all heightened and super sensitive. You are tuned
tothe very essence of just being. Embracing the dim light as well as the
darkness... you are aware of the intense yet subtle beauty of your stark
surroundings and in that moment, life is very, very beautiful and rich.
Coal's new CD, "Beautiful Afterburn," conjures up just those kinds of
images. The Canadian foursome of lead vocalist/guitarist Nicole Steen,guitarist
Jon Wood, bassist Marcus Rogers and drummerIan Tiles combine for a sometimes
forceful rock style that still manages to remain stunningly sensual. This
CD is enjoyable cranked up or atlow volume because the atmosphere is the
same regardless. Dark, haunting, enchanting and at times sizzling, Coal
is fronted by Nicole's seductive, moody yet beautiful, almost-bluesy voice
that strokes your senses with every word. Even when not actually "singing"
(i.e., forming literal words), Nicole is a totally thrilling vocalist.
(Listen to the final minute of "Metallurgy.") Taking the styles of Gothic
folk, alt country and rock, this group keeps you hanging on to every note
because it's an addictive ride -- almost a little scary. But you've just
gotta know what's around the next bend, down the next dive. Like riding
in a dimly-lit enclosed roller coaster that will never push past a certain
speed -- only you don't know that for a while. Instrumentally, Coal's
compositions live up to the band's name and title. It's tight without
being rigid -- cohesive with plenty of room to breathe. Track number two
(appropriately titled, of course), "Down in Flames," at times sounds like
the Cowboy Junkies' darker side (due in large part to Jon's guitar work).
Speaking of, the next track, "Thrill Me," has a few instances of a big,
sweeping slide riff that are quite electrifying. And once again, while
this is one of Coal's "lighter" tunes and strays a bit off the overall
sound, it lives up to its title. And the final track, the pulsing "Something
Electric," brings it all back home and combines all the band's elements
to complete the full, dark circle. Yes. Dark and haunting can be gorgeous.
And the wonderful afterburn lasts a very long, long time.... |
With all the new music you hear these days,it's rare you'd say "Wow,that's different." Though good music is always appealing,I find that things rarely impress me in the ..."different" genre.However this CD,has enlightened me once more and shown me that bands that fall in to "alternative" category can still actually be a little alternative. Coal show a great deal of musical ingenuity with their release,Beautiful Afterburn.Songs go from the swaying change-up beats of "My Rocket",the album's opening track to songs like "Talisman," whose instrumental aspects could serve as a theme to an action movie.As well,the guitar work on "Metallurgy" is reminiscent of the '91 grunge era(to which I am heavily partial,explains my excitement).Furthermore,it's rare in pop music that a female vocalist can perform with all her might,not being an alto and still sound so cool.Generally speaking female voices tend to whine or screech but Steen's voice is exquisite(on it's own,let alone being perfect for the feel of the album).With Steen's solid vocals and the band's astounding instrumental work,Coal is definitely a band I'd like to hear more from. |
Beautiful Afterburn is Coal's third full length and I'm a little peeved
that this is the first thing I've heard. Featuring Jon Wood from Flophouse
Jr. on guitar, lapsteel, banjo, etc., Coal's sound is less rustic country
roots than one might expect, and instead is a hybrid of ethereal pop,
gothic folk, atmospheric moods and sultry torch songs. Indeed, it's songwriter
and vocalist Nicole Steen who provides the focal point of the Coal sound,
generating material with genuine emotional depth, and delivering her words
with a voice that will send tingles down many a spine. Opening track,
"My Rocket" is instantly addictive, and full of sexual imagery (I think...),
"Scarlet" is dark and bitter, just like the Cranberries wanted
to be, and "Something Electric" offers healing, of a sort. Overall, an
intriguing album, which dwells in the shadowy recesses, but then, so do
many potential listeners. (7/10) |
On their third full length release, these four Canadians create an
affecting mix of alterna-rock, blues and country. The finished product
has the same disturbed familiarity as Twin Peaks, in which a sweetly innocent
mask hides something a little darker. The songs move at a sensual pace,
giving tracks like "Sangfroid" plenty of time to work their seductive
spell. The band deserves some serious attention for the effectiveness
of its music; the album easily draws listeners in. Unfortunately, Beautiful
Afterburn doesn't achieve its full potential. Although the band fleshes
out their four-piece presentation with horn, pedal steel and other touches,
they don't go far enough. Adding a double-tracked vocal to a chorus here
and a touch more echo there could push songs like "In the Rough" the rest
of the way to greatness. As it stands, the tunes are still damn good,
giving a strong indication that Coal's vein has yet to be tapped out.
|
COAL is Vancouver's sexiest sounding band. If you're someone who swoons
over Chris Isaak,then you can think of Coal as a girl-fronted,smokier
version. If you love Julie London,you can think of Coal as a kind
of post-punk,post-country,post-surf,post-grrl-core take on her style.In
other words,Coal's songs will make you think of that crazy,stupid all-consuming,even
self destructive thing you used to have for that incredibly good-looking
bad-news guy or girl at some point in your life.They will send you into
a kind of a dream.They may even remind you of those intense spiritual
revelations you had back when you were dropping acid.(Not that I would
know about that.) Maybe you've settled down and put these things behind
you,but Nicole and her gang of crack musicians will bring it back,on this
Cd better than ever.And you will like it. |
A decade spent perfecting its moody,alt-country/rock/pop sound has
paid off for this local quartet.Nicole Steen's voice wavers,floats,entices
and stings over all 10 tracks,nine by the talented singer/guitarist.Great
production too. ***/5 |
Every time I listen to Coal I catch myself daydreaming about driving
an old beat-up convertible through the desert with the tunes cranked.
Nicole Steen's vocals and the moody musical textures created by the band
make this CD an enjoyable and moody experience. The only downfall of this
release is that its not very memorable which is not a terrible thing,
just don't expect a top 40 hit off it. |
| In the theater of my mind,Coal crashes the nightclub
in Blue Velvet,kicks Isabella Rosselini's ass off-stage and they get up
there and play their inimitable brand of rock/country/lounge-core.And
then I slow-dance to it with your girlfriend and we get our freak on in
the bathroom.Because it's just that good. |
Over the last decade, one of the biggest developments in pop music
was that of the strong female singer/songwriter. So why is it that even
though we've constantly trumped the efforts of the Phairs, the Crows and
the Etheridges, we've totally ignored Vancouver's Nicole Steen and Coal?
Steen writes great, soulful torch songs and wraps them up in moody, atmospheric
spaghetti western twang filled with emotion. She even ups the ante on
this latest disc by adding a newfound sonic intensity that furthur propels
the songs but never overwhelms them (check out the aptly titled "Metallurgy").
Also in their favour, so they did a lounge cover of Motorhead's "Ace Of
Spades" 10 years ago; but I1m over it. This band continue to grow and
create their own unique sound under Steen's masterful direction. Get with
the program, already. |
Coal have that elusive pretty/ugly angle down pat. Splendid melodies
and sumptuous vocals mask an underlying urgency to the songs. It's almost
goth, without all the pancake make-up and silliness. The twangy guitars
are a nice touch, perfectly framing Nicole Steen's hauntingly sweet serenades.
Torch songs with real fire - there's nothing quite like it. |
Canadian bands were always loved by our mag and with Coal we are in
Vancouver. Not that I've heard it but Coal are best known for their cover
of Motorhead's "Ace of spades". But no, Coal aren't metal. Everything
started when Nicole steen and guitarist Stevo Knauf were teaming up in
their appartment and as they didn't want to disturb the neighbours they
played as quiet as possible and the mellow sound of Coal was born cos
that's what Coal are...very quiet music but with lots of brilliant details
cos little by little other members joined the team and now Coal are already
on the front with their third album and what an excellent thing it is
as it's a sort of dark alternative pop in Mojave 3 or Cowboy Junkies-style....and
with Coal you never know what they are going to do as every song leads
you in another direction but they might have covered a heavy metal anthem,
they always make it possible you can hear their music with candlelight.
And everything is also beautifully represented...a very wonderful release
if you are searching for some superb quiet moments in life! |
In Canada: |
