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James Apollo has one of those haunting melancholy voices that
render timing a weighted factor for enjoyment - his whispering vocals
accompanying best a rainy day, rolled cigarettes, and black coffee.
A darker and less fragile version of Jeff Buckley, Apollo's
vocals are consistently deep and luring, while maintaining an element
of seduction. He uses clever instrumental breakdowns and introductions
to break up his melodramatic phrasing, while relying on slightly out-of-tune
old uprights and rich clarinet sounds to keep things interesting.
A classic love lullaby, "How Hard" beautifully demonstrates
Apollo's diverse phrasing and knack for nailing instrumental breakdowns.
While lacing lap steel softly throughout the background, Apollo's
vocals moan securely over top - sounding something like a Joe Cocker
anthem. His deep vibrato in songs like "The Bottom" separates
his sound from artists like Amos Lee, allowing his vocals to
sound as tear-filled as the songs yield.
Word savvy and equally conscious, Apollo is quite the lyricist. Focusing
heavily on textured themes of love lost and substance abuse, his moody
and ambient music is for the heavy-hearted. Hardly suitable for a
sunny day's drive, I would recommend
James Apollo to anyone searching for the perfect soundtrack to a rocky
road.
-Mackenzie Grosser
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James
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