Other Music 4.30.08 Review of Xeno and Oaklander's 'Vigils' CDep and Xeno and Staccato 7" single:

http://www.othermusic.com/2008april30update.html

XENO AND STACCATO 
Cara's Kiss 
(No Label)

Xeno and Oaklander is Miss Liz Wendelbo on vocals and Martial Canterel's Sean McBride on vintage analog synths. The duo has re-released their insanely limited debut EP, previously available in an edition of 75, with a bonus track from the vinyl-only Wierd compilation and in a still-limited edition of 150. As expected, these tracks feature stripped, genuine, analog synth beats that are filled with cold, soaring melodies (see "Blue Flower") and real-time manipulation that can't be matched with a laptop. Xeno and Oaklander have unleashed an essential collection of authoritative synth-wave.

With both members alternating on the mic, McBride's tracks have his trademark, fist-throwing, martial/baritone-Andy McClusky/Ian Curtis vocal while Wendelbo's songs (sung in English, French and German!) stand out for having a more romantic take on Gudrun Gut's "Domina" and/or Xmal Deutschland (see "Zuruck"). Other tracks find her skillfully marrying these coldwave vocal stylings with the echo-y lilt of Lisa Gerrard. Her vocal-led tracks combine the beauty of a synthwave chanteuse with a D.I.Y. artpop charm. Fans of the excellent Can't Stop It 2 compilation of Australian D.I.Y./post-punk gems will love this stuff. 

For a more brooding yet no less authoritative take on this sound, also check out the Xeno and Staccato (Wendelbo and Staccato Du Mal's Ramiro Jeancarlo) vinyl-only single. The record, which is limited to 500, is housed in a beautifully grey & silver on black cardstock sleeve with inserts. The a-side, "Cara's Kiss," is drenched in a warm, claustrophobic, humming pulse with heart-rending descending/ascending discordant chords. The starkness of the backing tracks allows Wendlebo's vocals to peek in and out and climb at will, while the pulse-y drones grind at the chest. Excellent! [SM]