For those who think Joanna Newsom doesn't take her harp-accompanied, grown-up dollhouse songs as close to the primal state as she should, there's CocoRosie. During the past decade, the sisters Bianca "Coco" Casady and Sierra "Rosie" Casady survived the passing of the fleeting "freak"-folk movement (unwittingly spearheaded by former tourmate and like-minded free spirit Devendra Banhart) with flying colors.
And colors flying every which way figure heavily into this music that'll be on display September 24 at Revolution -- whether CocoRosie chooses to create a French pop sketch for a sophisticated toddler, opera accompanied by Antony Hegarty and toy piano, or rootsy folk showcasing their indelible voices.
With the duo's recently unveiled fourth album, Grey Oceans (Sub
Pop), there's more precious perversity to love -- and a wee bit of
maturity. The title track is a beautiful piano set piece that's not quite as
easy to swallow as one by Regina Spektor. Filled with meta commentary like
"I'm watching myself like an art movie on color TV," it's one to play on
repeat while soaking in the tub. Elsewhere, heavier beats with Middle Eastern influence provide a little thud to "The Moon Asked the
Crow," and tabla-twirling "Smokey Taboo" is what Nelly Furtado would come
up with if she spent a couple of years on an organic farm. Even if
curiosity is the only thing providing the lure to Revolution, it's a
good bet that the audience will be just as entrancing as the performers.
CocoRosie. 8 p.m. Friday, September 24, at Revolution, 200 W. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Tickets cost $17. Click here.