Acoustic Sessions, the debut LP from The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger (GOASTT to their fans) makes a noteworthy but somewhat problematic dent in the acoustic pop landscape.
The band—Sean Lennon (son of the late John Lennon) and Atlanta-born model-musician Charlotte Kemp Muhl—harkens back to ‘60s psychedelic pop, but with less focus on orchestration and texturing and more emphasis on acoustic guitars and two-part harmonies. It’s an interesting release, but one with its fair share of problems, and the album suffers as a result.
For Lennon especially, this project represents new life. It goes without saying that expectations for any of his endeavors are high. His 2006 album Friendly Fired rew rave reviews from critics, but few neglected to mention his esteemed genetics. And Muhl, who’s allegedly dating Lennon, has been a well-known, successful model since age 16.
The pair works well together, and obviously shares both musical and ideological principles. Their connected collaboration forms the heart and soul of the album, and the music caters well to both of their talents.
The duo’s lyrics and vocals are the most definitive aspect of the release. The band’s style is decidedly poetic, and in the absence of any percussion the shape of the lyrics will often narrate a song’s rhythm.
Comparisons to Sufjan Stevens, specifically his 2004 release Seven Swans, are easy to make—Acoustic Sessions is built on the same foundation of carefully constructed melodies and lyrics. Songs feel more crafted than written, and it is this more than anything that helps keep the album moving. It’s a very cool touch, but it’s one that won’t fly with every listener.
But the lyrics contribute to the most detrimental issue on Acoustic Sessions: its content. To match the album’s dreamy feel, lyrics are written in a single frame of mind. Acoustic Sessions is about a single relationship and a single love, so there’s no diversity to be found. It leaves each track undistinguishable, apart from sparse changes in instrumentation from song to song. Worst of all, the lyrics feel immature. The same band that created intricate and chilling songs to fill an album can’t express their feelings in more than one way.
It’s a shame that Acoustic Sessions feels as aimless as it does. Were this album more diverse in subject matter, it would be stronger. But as it wears on in a singular mindset, the album starts to break down.
