SHALINI - We Want Jelly Donuts

                                              
                                                        Parasol
 
 
 

The title’s fun: a mistaken identification of the acronym “WWJD.” And the playing’s solid, anchored by ex-Vinyl Devotion vocalist Shalini Chatterjee, Eric Marshall, and esteemed producer/Let’s Active geetar hero Mitch Easter. Sadly, in Shalini’s case, the sum is a little less than the parts. Songwriting duties are shared: Easter contributes four tracks to Shalini’s six. Some of Easter’s tracks recall late-period Let’s Active, which dissolved as they peaked musically, brewing up powerful baroque pop on “Big Plans for Everybody.” It’s a great to hear some of those dropped threads picked up, and to hear Easter applying his studio smarts to his own material again.  Two are strong successes: “Telepathic World" is spacious and moody, colored with toy piano and reverby guitar. “Get Free” has harpsichord, bright Rickenbacker bass, and a charming tone. Shalini’s songs are a little more conventional in structure, so have a little less snap, but the atmospheric “This is Telluride” and “Around The Eyes” succeed.  The flat synth funk of “Conviction Overturned” is just too Big 80’s. (Note to bands: Despite what the fashion rags are saying, it’s way too early for an 80’s revival. Just say no...for at least 10 more years.) Shalini’s voice is too coolly conversational to put much sentiment across; lyrics on her songs like “Pandora At Sea” and “Desperate At Dawn” are often telegraphed in a near-monotone and lose warmth and interest. It seems like she works harder on Easter’s songs. Shalini has plenty of room to grow, and it’s great to hear Mitch behind the songs instead of just behind the board. WE WANT JELLY DONUTS  is a decent effort, with hints of better work to come.
JULIE LEDFORD (5.5)
 
 

We Want Jelly Donuts is available at Parasol.com