gigi

genre: indie-pop, showtunes
artist: Gigi
album: The Hundredth Time b/w Some Second Best
tracks: The Hundredth Time, Some Second Best
label: K Records

According to the band's myspace, over forty artists collaborated on the original release from which these two tracks have been selected (average that number over fifteen tracks, and you get about three guest artists per track! That's almost as many guests as your modern day, run-of-the mill rap single. Just saying). A quick listen will fill your eardrums with a symphony of sounds that surely requires all of those guest artists. On their debut album (Maintenent), Gigi aimed to replicate 50's & 60's classic pop by utilizing some recently acquired vintage plate reverbs, and a full collection of strings, brass, and harmonies. What's more interesting is the fact that the singers and musicians (yes, all of them at once) crammed themselves into the studio to run through the songs "just a couple of times" before recording-- and there was no re-recording. Consequently, the tracks have retained the qualities that let us know music is still made by real people (i.e., an occasional missed cue...although... I certainly didn't hear any).

Bottom line: If you're in the mood for some tight harmonies and perfectly timed crescendos, Gigi is what needs to be coming through your speakers. The lyrics in both tracks carry an element of wistfulness, but the drumline and brass section forces your lips to curl upward and elicits an overall hopeful sentiment. Gigi has certainly succeeded in transporting me back to the 50's... what's this thing I'm typing on?!