It's almost unsettling the way Heather Zydek's voice manages to float like cream atop a cappuccino over a bed of relaxing folk music. Her voice is haunting to say the least and the elegance of it is enough to conjure the images of foggy dreamscapes and quiet movie scenarios. Matched with husband Steven Zydek's own rich vocals, it's obvious that Joyful Sorrow isn't deficient in the area of vocal arrangement.
"From Forest To Forest" opens the album "Quietude" (Isidore Records) with a chime that sounds straight out of an early morning dream before Steven's voice enters with silent acoustic guitar picking in the background. After a few more moments, Heather's voice enters and the two vocals lock to create an entrancingly swirling melody that is almost hypnotic in its sheer quiet beauty. "To The Desert" recalls the indie folk stylings of peers like Damien Jurado while still retaining a crispy melancholy feel that leaves one bobbing their head at the catchiness while thinking aloud on the intricacies of life.
Records like these are good for various things. Some people use them to wake up with while others find a passage way to sleep through them. Others, however, are forced to see beneath the surface and study the textures of the records themselves and in the process, they study not only the musical aspect, but the lyrical depth as well. And high on lyrical depth this record is, in fact, each song is about a different saint in the Christian faith.
"Death Hung with Flowers" starts with a beautiful cello arrangement while "Delusional and Pure" has an exquisite violin to carry it along. "To Be At War" and "The Window" are both introspective and dazzling in their arrangement while "Of Sarov" closes the record just as quietly as it was opened.
The most notable comparison that this band will get will be to fellow indie legends Velour 100 who produced the excellent indie folk rock "Fall Sounds" record. This is one of those records that could just as easily be played in a coffee house at any given time of the day as it could be on a home stereo system after a long day of work. Relaxing music that doesn't come off pretentious or cheesy. That's a good thing.
B
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth July 2003Reviewed by Brian A. SmithJoyful Sorrow is basically Steven and Heather Zydek, who write all of the songs and music, sing, play guitar, bass, percussion, and keyboards. It is a home studio project, produced by Steven in their basement, and has that feel to it. Largely inspired by Catholic saints, and by nature, Quietude is mostly forgettable, neither standing out because of brilliance, or making you cringe because of…Opus 2003Reviewed by Jason MoreheadThe use of icons in the Orthodox Church has often been seen as somewhat controversial (to put it mildly) by other Christians, especially those of a more Evangelical/Protestant bent. And while some abuse of this practice might exist (but then again, name a Christian practice that hasn't been abused), the concept of icons is, at its core, a beautiful thing. Those who create icons believe that when…
