Pointe Claire: I Asked For You...First

Pointe Claire could initially be mistaken simply for an electronica group, though a deeper listen reveals this band's more enterprising aim. Extended chord harmonies with synth washes conjure the image of a jazz lounge in the year 2050, funk slaps its way into the mix in "Full of Light" over a panoramic percussion track more characteristic of trance, virtuosic arpeggiation evoke a classical influence in "I Stand Alone," and "Sweet Takeover" intimates a subtle indie rock reference via an acoustic guitar break (without hitting you over the head with it).

As a result of the eclectic influence, fans of electronic music of all varieties (except perhaps industrial and darker, harder edged electro) will enjoy this debut album, I Asked For You...First, as a refreshing approach to a genre which can begin to sound rather ubiquitous. However, fans of some of the references made by the band, jazz, indie-rock and straight-ahead pop, may not find enough familiar territory here to be engaged.

The vocalist, Kate Zenna, is the most overt and unmistakeable reference to the electronica/lounge genre assumed by the group; while she's more than capable as a vocalist, she unfortunately sticks unwaveringly to the bright and breathy approach used by so many of her contemporaries. The sopping wet and frigid cold reverb with its unrelenting decay on the vocals certainly obscures any character in her voice, worsening the issue (or perhaps is the sole cause of it). Despite this, her melodies, pleasant and precisely intoned, make her a positive and indispensible contribution to the effort. Also, "Lay It All Down" with its "bup bup bups" might turn your literary-minded listener off, but it's worth it to stick around as often the saving grace to the somewhat unimaginative vocal tone here are the wry lyrics that regularly renew interest. Might we ask, though, on subsequent releases, to dial-back the reverb and take some chances on the vocal delivery?

All in all, the colorful range of influences, competent musicianship and top-notch production make this group easily recommendable.

Where can you find Pointe Claire? You can buy their first release on CD Baby: http://cdbaby.com/cd/pointeclaire and you can add them on MySpace: www.myspace.com/pointeclaire.