Piano Magic

The Open Cast Heart EP contains four downcast songs from Piano Magic, all of which, vocals excepted, are totally reliant on electronics. Jerome Tcherneyan and Cedric Pin provide comforting backdrops that shift, flutter, and tremble; Glen Johnson and Angèle-David Guillou take turns on vocals. Though recorded during a London summer, the songs give the effect of a session that took place during the dead of winter and act as a coating protecting you from the harsh elements. The only disappointment is that the compelling uniform atmosphere comes in a short burst rather than a full album. (Pair it with the bulk of 2004's Saint Marie EP and you'd have a fine LP of two distinct halves.) Downloaders might want to consider getting hold of the actual object -- it's elaborately and beautifully packaged, as one might expect from this group. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide