Reviewed by Kit Burns
Yves Villeneuve/The Chorus Man
The Chorus Man is a pretty cheerful title for an album that honestly should only be played with the lights out. Yves Villeneuve has a deep, raspy, blues-tinged voice that is reminiscent of Mark Lanegan, former lead singer of the Screaming Trees. Like Lanegan, Villeneuve sings from the gut, his brooding baritone rooted in some inner pain. With Villeneuve, his angst may stem from unrequited love as the slow-boiling songs
“I’m Sleeping Single in Love” and “Will She Say Hello Again” reveal. “Won’t forget your lovely face,” aches Villeneuve on “I’m Sleeping Single in Love.”
The music doesn’t shift in tone or style much as Villeneuve is locked in a fuzz-drenched groove throughout much of the CD. The distorted rocker “See River Flow (North)” is reminiscent of R.E.M.’s grungy makeover on their mid-’90s Monster album. “A Dream I Had Last Night,” consciously or not, owes a debt to Joy Division’s sinister post-punk rhythms. As you can tell from these descriptions, The Chorus Man isn’t packed with laughs; however, if you’re in the mood for dimly-lit confessions, you won’t find much better right now in the indie scene.
