The High Voice Of The Low Anthem Breaks Out As Arc Iris

Transcript

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

Arc Iris is the name of a new band featuring singer-composer Jocie Adams. It is bright and engaging music that draws from cabaret, classical, country, folk rock, Latin and pop music. Music reviewer Jim Fusilli says it's delightful.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MONEY GNOMES")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) Love falls gently from the sky, in bundles oh, so sweet. Money lurks inside the soil, pressed beneath our feet...

JIM FUSILLI, BYLINE: That's "Money Gnomes," the opener on Arc Iris. Jocie Adams was a member of The Low Anthem, the indie-folk group whose eclectic approach is present here.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MONEY GNOMES")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) If the coin were to emerge and slyly oversee what showers come of bundled goods from Cupid's tender trees, He'd surely twist those precious goods...

FUSILLI: Ms. Adams is a multi-instrumentalist with a flair for warm, inviting arrangements, as evidenced on "Might I Deserve To Have a Dream" in which a raspy electric guitar gives way to beautiful strings.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "MIGHT I DESERVE TO HAVE A DREAM")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) Let me change my plea. Might I deserve to change my plea...

FUSILLI: Arc Iris features a cello, banjo and brass alongside a rhythm section. Supporting Ms. Adams' voice, the sextet quietly shows its colors on the moody numbers but doesn't hesitate to get raucous, as on "Singing So Sweetly."

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SINGING SO SWEETLY")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) Singing so sweetly, out to the whole world. In that whole world, I am just one bird. I guess that means I can relish in your singing to me. You have me so gently spun in your spinning wheel. I could unwind but I feel so pretty wound up combed and dyed...

FUSILLI: It may not be much of a critical insight to say it, but the debut album by Arc Iris makes me happy not only for its musicality, sense of adventure and ample wit, but for Ms. Adams' willingness to share her joy. There's no sense in resisting it, so lean back and surrender to the delight that's Josie Adams and Arc Iris.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SINGING SO SWEETLY")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) Your heart sowed in mine is a spun seed...

SIEGEL: Jim Fusilli is the rock and pop critic for The Wall Street Journal. He reviewed the self-titled debut album from Arc Iris.

(SOUNDBITE OF SONG, "SINGING SO SWEETLY")

ARC IRIS: (Singing) I am a kitty cat, I keep on curling, until I am a ball I keep on swirling... Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.