Best known for her work as a singer and violinist of The Decebemberists, as well as her a cappella styled cover of The Who’s The Who Sell Out, it should come as no surprise to see Petra Haden returning to a similar territory, yet this time with an album of the songstress’ favourite movie scores.
Petra Haden Sings: The Who Sell Out was released back in 2007 before the a cappella tradition was yet to be tarnished by the infinitely annoying television series Glee and their infamous cover of Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.
Haden returns with an album that should restore some respect in the a cappella style. Over sixteen tracks, her voice is ingeniously layered to mimic the original instruments which form the compositions.
Opening with the main title from Rebel Without A Cause, those unacquainted with the genre’s mannerisms, things might seem a little bit silly, but few could doubt Haden’s creative abilities.
The 41 year old does display a more traditional singing style, first on the ‘Goldfinger Main Title’, but more affectingly on the acoustic rendition of ‘It Might Be You’ from the film Tootsie.
The piano led ‘Calling You’ (from Bagdad Café) and closer ‘This Is Not America’ (from The Falcon And The Snowman) both prove just how exquisite Haden’s voice can be in it’s less quirky state.
‘Hand Covers Bruise’ stands out because it comes from the most recent film offering of The Social Network, but more so because it encapsulates so much of the atmosphere that composer Trent Reznor devised.
Ultimately pitting songs from movies as contrasting as Psycho and Superman together makes for a somewhat incongruous listen, but you cannot doubt that Petra Haden’s creation exudes finesse and ingenuity.
