Tasty Assessment: Cat's Eyes

Faris Badwan and Rachel Zeffira are Cat's Eyes

The Horrors front man Faris Badwan is having his (1960's) Phil Spector moment with Cat's Eyes, his new project with Canadian soprano and classical multi-instrumentalist Rachel Zeffira. The two met through friends a couple of years ago and bonded over a mutual love of the 'girl group'. Their self-titled debut is a romantic-pop album of three minute songs in an all-that-is-old-shall-be-new-again sonic experiment. Where the strong influence of The Ronnettes (ex. "Face in the Crowd") meets classical arrangement style of The Cinematic Orchestra (ex. "Bandit") in new and exciting ways. Teenage symphonies is an oft thrown around term coined by Brian Wilson in regards to lovingly sculpted songs that grip equally both the ear and emotions of the listener. Brian Wilson not only helps explain the kind of music Cat's Eyes makes but is also an obvious influence. The track "Not a Friend" shares more than a few notes in common with The Beach Boys "God Only Knows". Zeffira sings "I always feel like crying/" like Wilson (Carl) sings "I may not always love you/" before making the song her own with a fresh turn to "/now I'd rather not see you again".  The Vancouver trained soprano went on to study in Verona which, believe it or not, help them score their very first gig as Cat's Eyes in December at the Vatican? (yep, that Vatican).

The noisiness of Badwan comes through via electronics and in the density of the textures and pervading darkness that oozes from each track. Cat's Eyes is a bittersweet collaboration that could be at home on a Tarantino or Disney soundtrack (speaking of collaboration, I think I'd watch that movie). The track "Cat's Eyes" being an example in the more Tarantino direction where as "I'm Not Stupid" leans a little more Disney (this is no way intended as a dis).

Overall Cat's Eyes creates a unique listening experience that encompasses a full range of sounds that are intoxicating to the ear. If you want to hear the same old song turn on the radio, but if you want to a slice of aural heaven turn on Cat's Eyes.

Head over to catseyesmusic for a listen and/or free download of "Not a Friend" now.