Marques Toliver - Land of CanAan (18/06/2013)
I first discovered Marques Toliver at Splendour in the Grass in 2011, playing to a very sparse crowd at the start of his set, to an almost packed out tent by the end. The thing that stuck me at the time, and I’m sure many others, was his rich soulful voice, as well as proficiency on a multitude of instruments ranging from the violin to electric harp.
On this, his first full length album, Toliver has increased the broadness of his sound, adding in a swell of instrumentation as well as female backing vocals. The short title track begins the record in a slow rise to a flurry of strings, over which Toliver’s voice soars and adds richness and volume. Stay is the first single, and one of numerous love songs which continues the theme of dominant strings with Toliver adding in poignant lyrics in his wonderful voice which is oh-so-easy to listen to for hours on end.
Try Your Best is a standout track for me, the tinkling xylophone at the beginning gives way to the plucking of strings and Toliver singing in his vibrato about losing control over how powerful a song can be, it’s a feeling we’ve all had before and the delivery is sincere and a fantastic representation of Toliver’s versatile voice. Weatherman is a nice switch up, a straightforward song featuring simply an acoustic guitar and some added trumpet lines, its another upbeat song but In a less energetic way.
It’s obvious to see the massive R’n’B influences in Toliver’s music, but there are also other prominent sounds such Toliver being a classically trained violinist shining through, as well as African American soul music coming through. When these are married, it creates a joyful and often uplifting mood which is hard to not get sucked into and more often than not, will leave a smile on your face. Final track Find Your Way Back Home is a pleasant way to end the album, featuring the electric harp and a swelling vocal melody. Toliver’s voice, once again, is just so infectious and full of colour and conviction.
Marques Toliver impressed me greatly with his first couple of EP’s, and this debut album has shown that he has the capacity to write a great record, packed to the brim with some fantastic tracks. He brings something fresh and original to the table which is a blissful listen.
Sebastian Betten
On this, his first full length album, Toliver has increased the broadness of his sound, adding in a swell of instrumentation as well as female backing vocals. The short title track begins the record in a slow rise to a flurry of strings, over which Toliver’s voice soars and adds richness and volume. Stay is the first single, and one of numerous love songs which continues the theme of dominant strings with Toliver adding in poignant lyrics in his wonderful voice which is oh-so-easy to listen to for hours on end.
Try Your Best is a standout track for me, the tinkling xylophone at the beginning gives way to the plucking of strings and Toliver singing in his vibrato about losing control over how powerful a song can be, it’s a feeling we’ve all had before and the delivery is sincere and a fantastic representation of Toliver’s versatile voice. Weatherman is a nice switch up, a straightforward song featuring simply an acoustic guitar and some added trumpet lines, its another upbeat song but In a less energetic way.
It’s obvious to see the massive R’n’B influences in Toliver’s music, but there are also other prominent sounds such Toliver being a classically trained violinist shining through, as well as African American soul music coming through. When these are married, it creates a joyful and often uplifting mood which is hard to not get sucked into and more often than not, will leave a smile on your face. Final track Find Your Way Back Home is a pleasant way to end the album, featuring the electric harp and a swelling vocal melody. Toliver’s voice, once again, is just so infectious and full of colour and conviction.
Marques Toliver impressed me greatly with his first couple of EP’s, and this debut album has shown that he has the capacity to write a great record, packed to the brim with some fantastic tracks. He brings something fresh and original to the table which is a blissful listen.
Sebastian Betten