Charming Hostess – “Punch ” – [Rer Megacorp]

The “Big Band” version of Charming Hostess has vocals from Jewlia Eisenberg, Carla Kihlstedt and Nina Rolle and adds instrumentation from Nils Frykdahl (Faun Fables, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum), Wesley Anderson and Daniel Rathbun.

Punch is full of surprising contrasts: pop sounding tunes with vivid lyrics of loss and torment; musical elements of klezmer, Balkan, punk and even country combined with lyrics from Jewish-Polish, Albanian, and Hungarian folk songs (as well as original lyrics from Hostesses leader Jewlia Eisenberg); odd stops, multi-part rhythms and elaborate harmonies weave in and out of more ‘traditional’ sounds. These songs will fit into just about any show- that’s how wide ranging this album is. When the Hostess sets the table you know you will be going back for seconds. (nic Electro)