The Cathedral Reviews
Far Greater Than the Sum of it's Parts
John Kendle, Uptown Magazine, Winnipeg
"Jacob and Lily are drummer/percussionist Caleb Friesen and pianist/guitarist/vocalist Karla Adolphe, an earthy folk/roots/pop duo whose collective sound is far greater than the sum of its parts. Much of this sense of richness is due to Friesen's expressive use of any number of percussive elements, as well as the addition of bass, cello, Wurlitzer and organ. But, truly, the real stars of this album are Adolphe's incredible voice — an instrument unto itself — and the duo's intuitive arrangements, which heighten the sense of devotional resolve and emotional purity in Adolphe's non-specific lyrics of love, longing and hope. In the hands of other producers this material might become overly melodramatic, but Friesen, Adolphe and production collaborator Jordan Jackiew have realized that less is more, and the result is a sense of musical communion that may well be overpowering when heard live."
Canadian Duo Releases Thoughtful, Intimate CD
Elizabeth Lardie, Times Record, Brunswick, Maine
Jacob and Lily, a duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, performing roots, pop and folk music, consists of neither a Jacob or a Lily, but music artists Karla Adolphe and Caleb Friesen.
But that's hardly the biggest surprise of the groups first CD, "The Cathedral Project."
The album was recorded in a theater, restaurant, church and their homes in an effort to "capture raw and organic sounds that represent our thoughts and feelings about our music and the world that we live in." The intent was to create a "journey of conversation, community and the interaction between creativity and people," according to the liner notes.
It was an earthy — almost impetuous — process. Some songs were recorded in front of a handful of friends at a local eatery. The final track, "Hold Onto You," was recorded minutes after it was written in Winnipeg's All Saints Anglican Church. Yet the song is so measured, it could hardly be mistaken for a rush job.
The process helped to shape a stripped down yet engrossingly heady final product. The multitude of delicate layers in the music mesh to form a strong sound — both familiar and refreshingly new.
Adolphe's voice careens through melodies with a surprisingly meaty amount of soul considering the album is a gentle listen. That full-bodied sound rises to all-out power on tracks such as "Ruby," where Adolphe manages to hit a near-full belt without shattering the easiness of the song's atmosphere. But she can also compose herself into a hush as if confessing the most sensitive secrets. All the while, Friesen's myriad rhythm-scapes move underneath, sometimes an emphasis on the music, sometimes ethereally elusive. The painstaking attention to detail in the percussion is most compelling on this album, particularly on the opening track "I'll See You Off," in which Adolphe's rich, silky vocals are delicately accented with tinkles from a triangle or chimes and balanced by warm drumbeats.
The cello accents playing off Friesen's percussion toward the close of "Build a Tower" have the quiet dynamics of a nagging thought in the back of the mind.
The album's only shortcoming is that a steady similar tempo meanders through from beginning to end; one that seems to evolve at times, but not really to ever change, without inspirations enough to shake up the pace. But if that's the weakest link, what's left is still one incredibly strong chain.
Yet even within the album's contemplative mood, there are flecks of humor and whimsy quietly slipped in, as if to see if anyone notices.
"This album was made by robots made by super-computers made by robots," it says on the back cover.
Jacob and Lily may want to delve into the dialogue of community and creativity, but it seems Adolphe and Friesen aren't taking their artist inquiry too seriously. Seriously yes, but not too. Which means that academics, indie fans, and those with indiscriminate and discriminate tastes will all have something to connect with."
Chemistry
Cafe 100.7 FM Music Department
The Cathedral is a poignant reminder that music is everywhere around us, and not limited to a studio setting… For a relatively new partnership, there is an audible chemistry between Jacob and Lily which is complemented by frequent flashes of brilliance in their songwriting… We look forward to hearing more from and about these very 'real' artists, and are proud to showcase them on CAFÉ 100 alongside the seemingly never-ending talent Winnipeg artists have to offer.