Record Review: Sally Seltmann

Sally Seltmann - Heart That's Pounding 2.5/5

Myspace

Stepping out from behind her moniker as New Buffalo for her real name, Sally Seltmann, is essentially re-branding post her co-written "1234" success with Feist. Like her previous records Seltmann possesses an awkward charm, slightly quirky, minimal arrangements and breathy vocals, with the occasional change up for more lush chamber arrangements and a twinkle of synth.

When Seltmann hits the right cord like the album's lead off single, "Heartbeat In Harmony," the combination of charming melodies, momentary flourishes of interest, and breathy coos, manages to give hipsters a hard-on.

Most of the album however, is limp and falls victim to its own sickly sweet, Carpenters brand of optimism. "On the Borderline," is hard to take while keeping a straight face, and "Happy," is a melodramatic, sparely arranged answer to Feist's "Honey, Honey." While the arrangements and song-writing is quirky and generally intriguing, twinkling synth and Seltmann's falsetto aren't capable of sustaining interest through Heart That's Pounding's 12 tracks.