China - And Then Nothing Happened
Bay Area folk-rock outfit China premieres “Marnie.” The song is from China’s forthcoming album, called And Then Nothing Happened, slated to drop February 22.
China
Made up of Michael James Tapscott (vocals), Jeff Moller (bass), Jacob Aranda (guitar), and Raphi Gottesman (drums), China’s sound reflects influences from Neil Young, The Byrds, and The Band, a laid-back soft rock sound shimmering with alluring pastel colors. Their songs exude a movie-like quality reminiscent of The Last Picture Show, where the movements of life intersect in shades of black and white.
Interestingly, the album, produced by David Glasebrook, was recorded live-in-the-studio on analog tape, in an effort to convey the band’s musical chemistry. Glasebrook encouraged the band to try out a variety of instruments to inject the songs with unique charisma.
Tapscott’s voice is, simply put, one of the most dulcet voices around, combining the best of Johnny Cash and Chris Isaak, full of creamy beguiling timbres.
“Marnie” opens on a soft guitar and Tapscott’s deliciously attractive tones. A galloping syncopated beat enters, infusing the tune with irresistible momentum, as sparkling guitar accents and pulsing keyboards color in the empty spaces. The shift to the chorus is seamless, while the chorus itself coruscates on a gleaming stream of hues.
Tapscott’s voice is, simply put, one of the most dulcet voices around, combining the best of Johnny Cash and Chris Isaak, full of creamy beguiling timbres. It’s one of those voices you actually focus on intently because you want to soak it up and enjoy it.
The lyrics tell the tale of “Marnie,” a woman and lover who has departed from the scene but not the narrator’s mind or heart. As he thinks of her, he wonders if she’s gone for good. There’s an emotional fervor, an urgent hesitance to his doubt, making the question all the more poignant.
I love the lyrics: “I’m like my mother / I like to stay at home / Unlike my father / I prefer to work alone / To feel the pain / And the boredom / Wash over me / Thirteen years ago / I got married / Three years later / I began to roam.”
“Marnie” contrives a series of sonic moods in artful sequence, ranging from nostalgic to brutal honesty. It’s a gorgeous tune made even better by Tapscott’s marvelous voice.
