Other Lives is an apt name for
this band, judging from the sound of title track
Tamer Animals. I finished the song no
closer to knowing anything about the group, nor the
personalities of the people behind it. Some musicians,
like Patrick Wolf for
instance, pour themselves into their songs,
leaving the listener in no doubt that this is the
product of their particular heart and soul. Such
musicians turn music into a vehicle to express themselves. Other Lives though do no such thing. Instead, their approach is evasive,
using instruments to create songs that are
self-contained entities, rather than direct
personal expressions.
Listen, for instance, to frontman Jesse Tabish, and how his
vocals remain in the backdrop, no more prominent than
the piano line or drums. He’s not taking centre stage
here, using the song to express himself or talk to the
listener direct. Instead, the collective sound of the band takes precedence. The vibe that the band creates together is important. It means, for me at least, that though Other Lives are pleasant
enough, Tamer Animals lacks a human
touch. I’d rather listen to Patrick Wolf pour his guts
out, and feel like I’m listening to a human being,
than a band that create music to distance themselves
from the sound they’re making. Even
though their chosen name might be apt.
