Nov. 12, 2008 - Issue #682: Tariq Ali

Drowning Ophelia

Drowning Ophelia
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, Drowning Ophelia

Drowning Ophelia
Drowning Ophelia
(TANDA)

Who doesn’t like a set of twins? No, I didn’t mean it like that. Stop it! I’m talking about twin sisters recording an album together, which is what we have here with Drowning Ophelia. Edmonton residents Candace and Karli Schiebelbein present a pop album with an alternative twist, beginning with “Cinderella,” whose quirky lyrics and Latin beats open the album and promise listeners good things to come. The album does a great job of balancing slower ballads such as “Watch Me Drown” with energetic tunes like “Road to Nowhere,” which races along like ska on speed. And what a fun song! I’m not surprised that this group mentions No Doubt as one of its influences. Vocally, the sisters express themselves most powerfully when they lead with a strong, stirring alto. “Hush Now,” for instance, depicts the twins’ vocal confidence and lyrical maturity. At other times, the ladies switch gears, allowing their voices to explore a more folksy, Jewel-like sound. I’ve heard too many albums where all the songs sound so much alike that I could never tell them apart; fortunately, that’s not the case here. V

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