After five EPs, the cycle of Animals Vol.1 is closing. Tip Stevens ends it with new versions, more acoustic, of some of its tracks on The Secret Sessions. Review.
THE SECRET SESSIONS – TIP STEVENS
From the highest note to the deepest one, from the smoothest to the most broken one, Tip Stevens charges each of his words and sounds with strong emotions. Stay In Your Cage, the session’s first single revealed, really shocked by its rightfulness and its ability to keep the original version’s energy intact.
A new element comes to add some wonderful depths to this song and to others: the cello. This addition really underlines the darkness and dramatic effects of the lyrics. Fascinating and hypnotic, it comes back on Condor, of which the raw piano is breathtaking. For Mr Sun, the emotion runs through the light electric lines which precede those of Miracle, also drastically different from its original pop-rock version. Captain Overboard then surprises by its vastness, increasing its already obscure aura, whilst The Top goes high and creates a vertigo effect. And if we needed more proof that this album isn’t the classic acoustic kind, Silver Tongue is right here. Raging and passionate, its halting progression is a true slap!
Ember, originally really groovy, brings in a sensible spirituality front and centre. Suddenly, we’re setting foot in a cathedral, and the arrangements are bringing the tears up. Flowers To The Moon is a calm, romantic breath smartly placed before the heartbreaking Kaioty. To end The Secret Sessions, Tip Stevens then offers Ordinary and Home. The association is moving, shaking even. On the whole record, and again on these two tracks, the vocals are impressively sincere and just. That’s why each track is unique and easy to separate from its EP version, whilst keeping its soul alive. Made of raw emotions, it is indeed the perfect conclusion to the Animals Vol.1 cycle, and the clear start of another. Don’t miss him on his road to Olympia!
Now Playing: Condor
