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Aug 29, 2011The Ornament's expansiveness owes a fair bit to Olsen's voice, which sounds like it's been given an emotional B12 shot. His lyrics are prettily--albeit somewhat emptily-- evocative, richly textured, and his tonal pronunciation (the "PO-lice cars" of "Hanging Window") adds temporal sentimentality to his words.
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Sep 28, 2011Through its happy welding of superb vocals and tactical percussion, Gold Leaves achieves a timeless quality, with a bright future on the horizon.
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Aug 29, 2011Gold Leaves go about their dreaminess the au naturel way, and they're all the better for it.
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Aug 29, 2011There is a crisp richness to the sound, best appreciated on a decent system, which is redolent of the orchestral pop of the 60s, bringing out also the best of Gold Leaves' folk influences (as The Velvet Underground taught us so well, an aptly placed tambourine shake is a wondrous thing).
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Aug 29, 2011These fleeting glimpses of originality aren't enough to save the album, though, and until Olsen discovers his own voice, you'd be better served by listening to music by the artists he borrows from so heavily.
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Sep 1, 2011Olsen's infatuations with analog R&B, psychedelic doo-wop, and '60s British pop maven Scott walker are fine for an indolent afternoon, but lacks the melodic robustness to warrant repeat listens. [Jul 2011, p.89]