Be rational: Go see Sunfall Festival, The Deseret News
4/13/01

Sunfall Festival's much-anticipated "Monday 23," the band's third release, features its pay-dirt hit, "I Walked Away."

In my last review, I mentioned that I thought Sunfall Festival sounded like a hybrid between Ani diFranco and Radiohead . . . but kids, I've changed my mind.

The Sundays. Sunfall Festival definitely sounds like the Sundays.

Brief lesson: The Sundays is a British folk-pop rock group that is defined by its lead singer's voice, as well as its pop-folk, surrealistic compositions. Harriet Wheeler's small, breathy, ethereal soprano voice lilts and twirls, and is quite little-girl-ish, and I'm sure you've heard the group's cover of "Wild Horses," by the Rolling Stones.

Like Wheeler's, Amy Greetham's voice is wee. Now, I don't particularly think that Amy's voice is "mama-knock-you-out-killer-wow," but she does a fantastic job of emoting and interpreting. Her voice is actually "man-this-girl's-got-feeling-and-raw-talent."

Amy's voice has this quality that makes the lyrics kind of weep and . . . well, I just don't think her songs would sound the same if someone else sang them. The last time we spoke, Amy said that she kind of took voice lessons, but nothing stuck. I think Amy is proof that some of the best stuff in your voice isn't taught. Just like my piano playing.

On "Monday 23," Amy's lyrics are emotionally driven and explore relationships, romantic and familial. She's not afraid to lay her cards on the table and tell it like it is. Much like my song I wrote last week, "Running with Tweezers."

The music composed by fellow band members Chris Peterson, Scott Wiley and George Brunt are more intricate and musically advanced than most would expect from a local band.

For example, the band fused the folk-pop guitar melodies with some electronic sounds and string arrangements in a way that didn't come across as trite, over-used and . . . well . . . snotty.

My husband's favorite songs on the CD are No. 2, "I Walked Away"; No. 3, "Victim"; and No. 10, "Dear and Beloved." I quite liked the first one, "Someone's Favorite Song." There are songs in between 3 and 10 that I felt were a little too slow and moody.

Sunfall Festival's "Monday 23" release party will be Tuesday, April 17, at Johnny B's Comedy Club in Provo. The show will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the door.

The drive would do you all some good.

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