With their concisely titled debut album,
Songs of the Saxophones,
the Saxophones present an intimate, understated version of chamber pop that embraces both vintage pop and contemporary lo-fi. The fact that they released their first single, "Aloha," with a B-side cover of the
Lynch-
Badalamenti-Marshall tune "Just You" from Twin Peaks is worth mentioning, as it directs expectations toward an appropriately retro-dreamlike mindset. The California duo consists of married couple
Alexi Erenkov and Alison Alderdice: he, a multi-instrumentalist with a background in formal jazz study who sings lead on the songs, and she, a drummer who also sings backup. They are joined here by Richard Laws, who covers bass, vibraphone, and additional voice. Actual saxophones do appear on the album, or at least one does, including on the wistfully sweet "Just Give Up." With a touch of cabaret and carousel, the tune opens with bass and softly arpeggiated guitar before a resigned
Erenkov offers "If it's too hard/Just give up." A saxophone solo that's more tuneful than the vocal line follows, picking up string-like synths and, later, a carousel organ-type voice, as
Erenkov's despondent thoughts and the saxophone continue taking turns ("I'm drinking N.A./And it's fine"). The singer's deadpan delivery holds form throughout the track list, from the glumly spare "Work Music" to the whimsical "Mysteries Revealed," with its flutes and what sounds like toy percussion and bird calls. Its lyrics, however, reveal all is still not well. Throughout, the combination of efficient arrangements and artful reverb is haunting and lovely at once, reflecting both the sadness and romantic good intentions of
Erenkov's words. The album's one-minute coda, "Afterglow," leaves listeners on an elegant campfire ballad in three-part harmony with lyrics that, fittingly, evoke the moon, the sea, and "dreams of you." ~ Marcy Donelson