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On her Blue Note debut, KT Tunstall does a musical about face from the bright, shiny production and uptempo pop of 2010's Tiger Suit and 2007's sparkling Drastic Fantastic. Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon is a gentler, more organic collection. The split title reflects the album's linked themes of mortality (the death of her father) and the end of love (a divorce), and the two different sessions helmed by Howe Gelb in the Tucson desert during the spring and winter of 2012. The shifting signifiers in her lyrics and the subtleties of these simple yet effective melodies required an empathic, intuitive producer who would color and highlight rather than define. Together, they deliver ig. Despite using occasional strings, steel drums euphonium, woodwinds, and even a mellotron, this is not a slick affair. In fact, it's easily the warmest, most natural-sounding record in her catalog. Despite the weighty life events that inspired the songs, this is hardly a "dark" album. It's serious and looks deep; its songs find truth in unlikely places, but they never despair. "Made of Glass" is a soulful waltz in which the protagonist reveals her weariness in grieving -- but accepts it as process and transition. Colored by an elegant vibraphone, pedal steel, whistling that could have come from a Morricone score, winds, and brass, Tunstall's voice glides through the mix, embracing the tension between sorrow and waiting for its end. The single "Feel It All" -- which also has a reprise "Band Jam" version as a bonus track -- is spare, bluesy, desert Americana. Acoustic and electric guitars come together and separate in sultry contrast. John Parish's shuffling snare and kick drum walk it out as Tunstall expresses the wide-open, raw tenderness the heart encounters as it embarks upon a new reality fraught with dangerous possibilities. Her lyric expresses that vulnerability is not just the cost of humanity, but its gift. The vocal duet between Tunstall and Gelb on "Chimes," caressed by accordion, Spanish guitar, and reverbed strings, is the most delicate, lovely tune here. "No Better Shoulder" commences as a shimmering acoustic ballad, but evolves, becoming a vast psychedelic expanse of layered textures, near sultry enveloping reverb, and ambient spaces, as it unhurriedly builds to a careening climax. Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon details emotional and mental states in the stages of transition from grief to acceptance and looking forward; but the constant thread running through this beautiful set is that the core experience of loss is necessary -- and even welcome -- in order to celebrate "…the table of this life."
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vibraphone, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Schultz, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Piano, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Will Houchin, Euphonium, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vibraphone, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Rauhouse, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Andrew Bird, Whistle, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer - Marco Rosano, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Will Houchin, Euphonium, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Schultz, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Accordion, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Rauhouse, Pedal Steel, AssociatedPerformer - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - John Parish, Mixer, Percussion, Drum, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Mellotron, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Cello, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Asger Christensen, Violin, AssociatedPerformer - Iris Marie Jakobsen, Viola, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Engineer, Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Black, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Nylon-String Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Marco Rosano, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Will Houchin, Euphonium, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Coventry, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - John Parish, Guitar, Timpani, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Electric Guitar, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Black, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Coventry, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - John Parish, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Mixer, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Black, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Accordion, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Nicholas Coventry, Strings, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Flute, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - John Parish, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Nylon-String Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Marco Rosano, Clarinet, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Will Houchin, Euphonium, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, Harp, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer, Electric Guitar, Sound Effects, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Ali Chant, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Martin Terefe, Producer, Mixer, Electric Guitar, Additional Producer, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Thomas Juth, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Brian Lopez, Electric Guitar, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Howe Gelb, Producer - Gabriel Sullivan, Nylon-String Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Eric Gardner, Drums, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Sam Keyte, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Guitar, Piano, Vocals, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Marco Rosano, Clarinet, Saxophone, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Will Houchin, Euphonium, Tuba, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Jeremy Cooper, Mastering Engineer, StudioPersonnel - KT Tunstall, Producer, Guitar, Vocals, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Luke Bullen, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Craig Schumacher, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Chris Schultz, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Howe Gelb, Producer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer - Gabriel Sullivan, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Thøger Tetens Lund, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jon Villa, Trumpet, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
Album review
On her Blue Note debut, KT Tunstall does a musical about face from the bright, shiny production and uptempo pop of 2010's Tiger Suit and 2007's sparkling Drastic Fantastic. Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon is a gentler, more organic collection. The split title reflects the album's linked themes of mortality (the death of her father) and the end of love (a divorce), and the two different sessions helmed by Howe Gelb in the Tucson desert during the spring and winter of 2012. The shifting signifiers in her lyrics and the subtleties of these simple yet effective melodies required an empathic, intuitive producer who would color and highlight rather than define. Together, they deliver ig. Despite using occasional strings, steel drums euphonium, woodwinds, and even a mellotron, this is not a slick affair. In fact, it's easily the warmest, most natural-sounding record in her catalog. Despite the weighty life events that inspired the songs, this is hardly a "dark" album. It's serious and looks deep; its songs find truth in unlikely places, but they never despair. "Made of Glass" is a soulful waltz in which the protagonist reveals her weariness in grieving -- but accepts it as process and transition. Colored by an elegant vibraphone, pedal steel, whistling that could have come from a Morricone score, winds, and brass, Tunstall's voice glides through the mix, embracing the tension between sorrow and waiting for its end. The single "Feel It All" -- which also has a reprise "Band Jam" version as a bonus track -- is spare, bluesy, desert Americana. Acoustic and electric guitars come together and separate in sultry contrast. John Parish's shuffling snare and kick drum walk it out as Tunstall expresses the wide-open, raw tenderness the heart encounters as it embarks upon a new reality fraught with dangerous possibilities. Her lyric expresses that vulnerability is not just the cost of humanity, but its gift. The vocal duet between Tunstall and Gelb on "Chimes," caressed by accordion, Spanish guitar, and reverbed strings, is the most delicate, lovely tune here. "No Better Shoulder" commences as a shimmering acoustic ballad, but evolves, becoming a vast psychedelic expanse of layered textures, near sultry enveloping reverb, and ambient spaces, as it unhurriedly builds to a careening climax. Invisible Empire/Crescent Moon details emotional and mental states in the stages of transition from grief to acceptance and looking forward; but the constant thread running through this beautiful set is that the core experience of loss is necessary -- and even welcome -- in order to celebrate "…the table of this life."
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 15 track(s)
- Total length: 01:00:33
- Main artists: KT Tunstall
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Virgin Records Ltd
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock Alternative & Indie
© 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited ℗ 2013 Universal Music Operations Limited
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