Falling by Anat Damon

While the songs tend toward the gently melodic side and the lyrics toward the give-and-take struggles of romantic and sexual relationships, there's an uneasy kick to the way they're spun, perhaps influenced by her own extensive academic work in psychology. Her voice has an appealing shy sultriness, and while her foreign accent is noticeable, actually it sounds kind of cool, without impeding the vocal clarity. Her stance is one of offering intimacy that's both inviting and unsettling, the lyrics of "Naughty" in particular hinting at the dark side of attraction, plaintively asking "why is it hard to see the worst in me?" as if that's exactly what she wants to show off. Leaving aside the interpersonal dynamics of the compositions, on a sheer sonic level the production is quite pleasurable, gracefully blending in touches of orchestration, psychedelia, slide guitar, and quite late-'60s Beatles-ish strings. Some of the fresher indie rock of the early 2000s came from Israel, and this is an honorable entry into that field, yet more admirable in that (unlike some of the other better Israeli indie rock of the period) it doesn't lean heavily on retro- psychedelia or 1960s-indebted approaches. FOUR STARS.

What www.collectedsounds.com has to say:

Anat Damon's music is charming and slightly reminiscent of a more electronically inclined Cat Power. She has apparently started making music fairly recently, but she seems assured in her art. She is a psychologist and has worked as rock band's manager, so she has an interesting background.

"For you" is a gently spinning song with a light electronic backdrop framing Damon's sweet vocals.

"Falling" is a remarkable song. It's as restrained as the rest of the album, and just as magical.

The aptly named "Magic" is a sweet tune with a faint psychedelic undertow.

"Show me the Pain" is a magical mystery tour of a song. Damon's love of the Beatles comes through, filtered in her own language.

"Naughty" is a poppy, fun song.

This album is lovely and its sophisticated sound shows Damon has come a long way for first timer.

--- An excerpt from KolBo Magazine review:

"...Damon's first album is much more than this. It will seep under your skin. It puts cheek next to cheek. It is a good night kiss. It is a masterpiece, no less, storing in 12 tracks, almost 44 minutes, an entire life. Do not miss it."

---Excerpts from TAXI A&R Professionals' critique of Falling's songs:

"A very talented songwriter and performer... A sound that really cuts through and takes you on a ride ... Bears the essential virtue of originality."

"I have never heard another artist or group that I would consider comparable to what you are doing."

MORE REVIEWS: www.anatdamon.com

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