Dust Lane

Strains of folk and classical find their way into the intelligently crafted pop-rock of Yann Tiersen, a French composer/multi-instrumentalist who skillfully uses violin, accordion, toy piano, and other instruments to create striking textures. Tiersen has released a number of solo albums and scored several films, including the international hit Amélie. On 2010’s Dust Lane, elements are assembled for maximum dramatic and emotional effect; indeed, the music can have an almost orchestral heft at times. The inclusion of synthesizer adds color to the vast aural canvas. On “Amy,” Dave Collingwood’s drums, layers of vocals, and swooping synth coalesce to establish a mood of grandeur tinged with sadness, while the title cut employs speaking and singing voices to bring a rich theatrical dimension to the track. “Dark Stuff” starts off with an eerie passage that highlights Tiersen’s accordion before a Sonic Youth-like chug kicks in; as the song goes on the keyboard and the groove are skillfully merged.