Our Lady Of Radium
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The Brooklyn duo of Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris, as Charming Disaster the pair have done great work in the area of gothic-folk sounds, though here they swerve into less ominous areas, where thematically they surround the scientist Marie Curie and the tragic story of the ‘Radium Girls’.
“Bad Luck Hard Rock” opens the listen with some atmosphere and a cryptic version of gypsy rock as the pair both sing skillfully alongside bare percussion and light guitar, and “Forces Of Nature” follows with carefully strummed guitar amid pretty singing from Bisker as folk ideas enter the charming formula.
Moving along, “Power Of The Sun” has the two harmonizing as the song builds into a more tense landscape, while “Darkened Room” offers a playful, rhythmic album highlight that resides closer to timeless folk sensibilities.
Deeper yet, “A Glow About Her” layers the vocals with subtle drums in a calm version of indie-rock, and “Our Lady Of Radium” exits the listen bare, with some of the best singing on the album to accent the vivid storytelling.
A project that began in 2017, this is a concept album that required much thought and research, and Bisker and Morris certainly bring an unparalleled amount of creativity that includes ukuleles, guitars, glockenspiel, bass, pots and pans and breath sounds to a truly unique and memorable body of work.
Travels well with: Charming Disaster- Spells + Rituals; Curse Of Lono- Severed