Coming from Melbourne, Australia, Sodastream is a duo featuring Karl Smith on vocals and guitar, and Pete Cohen on double bass. It’s an unusual combination in pop circles. However, there are a couple of guest musicians on A minor revival who enrich the music by adding a few instruments to the duo’s sound palette.

Sodastream plays pop music with elegant arrangements and finely crafted melodies. There is something melancholic about the mood of most songs but at the same time, there is a distinct feeling of happiness. Happy going although things ain’t all merry, in a way. The lyrics are nicely written. I would liken them to some sort of sketch, a vague picture of what’s in the author’s mind at a given moment.

While the voice / double bass / guitar triumvirate is definitely the main musical anchor point, the additional instruments used are very, very important in making what those songs are, in giving them substance. Drums are used on each song but one, but I’m more specifically thinking of instruments such as trumpet, piano, slide guitar, viola and so on. A fine example is Blinky, a very good track owing a lot to the use of trumpet, especially on the uplifting chorus. Same goes with the viola on Brass lines which gives to the song a solemn vibe, although the chorus brings some lightness, some dreamy moments. On Horses, one of my favourite tracks of the album, the piano brings some welcome drama in the music while on Nervous it adds a more playful aspect. Another of my favourites, Constant ships, benefits from the beautiful “interventions” of Rob Calder on flugelhorn. He plays a mournful melody which kicks in exactly when the lyrics require being mournful. Startling. The women’s revue reminds me of Nick Cave’s No more shall we part, with less intensity. Great nonetheless.

This is not to say that more “basic” tracks are not good. Chorus line is a proof that simple is sometimes best, a little guitar and very tasteful slide guitar makes for an excellent 3 minutes 25. America is another more pared down song that works perfectly, thanks to a very nice and catchy chorus. Album closer Weekend proves that Smith and Cohen are gentlemen. The song is very quiet, the instrumentation simple and the arrangements very discreet. Just like gentlemen would bid adieu: in the most modest and tasteful way.

A minor revival will not end in my top of the year list, but it certainly si a very charming album, one to enjoy in the early evenings of autumn.

Available in Benelux through Aim-Distribution