Art in Manila
Set the Woods on Fire (Saddle Creek)
By Angie Vo
Published: August 17th, 2007 | 2:26pm
Set the Woods on Fire is a slow-burning album that may not spark with some. The debut record from Orenda Fink’s Art in Manila highlights the crystalline and aching voice that was once part of the somber pop duo Azure Ray. When Azure Ray ended in 2004, Fink recorded her 2005 solo album, Invisible Ones, and had an ever-changing backing band for the tour that followed. She selected some of her tour mates to make up the current Art in Manila lineup, including keyboardist-vocalist Adrienne Verhoeven, formerly of the Anniversary.
Although Fire has moments of well-orchestrated moodiness (the trembling redemption song “Golden Dawn” and the subtly destructive “Our Addictions”), too many tracks depend on a mid-tempo beat and spare instrumental arrangements to really stand out.
However, the slow-burn formula is just right for the title track, which uses keys, drums, and Fink’s voice to guide us through a tense morass of sorrow and mystery. And, for better or worse, it’s the cover of Les Savy Fav’s “The Sweat Descends” that’s the album’s highlight, which layers vocals from Fink and Verhoeven over guitar.
Overall, the album is perfect for a pensive mood, but it probably won’t set the entire world on fire.
Issue #32
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