There are times when you get to wondering if there is more to life than eating key lime pie and pondering the fate of the world and, at such a time, you might well seek out some serious music to become the soundtrack to your thoughts. Something like “Crumpled Canvas” by Francesca Bono.
One thing is certain about Francesca Bono (formerly of Ofeliadorme for those of us who have the treasured picture disc in our record collection). The art is strong in her and, notably for a first solo album, she ignites her music with the kind of thermal intensity that comes with making all that she does into a personal artistic statement. As is the trademark of the modern day, much is made of repetition – whether organic or synthetic – as a means of getting her point across. This artistically valid approach is somewhat hypnotic, at times almost mesmerising, and, duly, these eight songs grow on you as if your ability to choose had been magically removed and her introspection had become your introspection. Although often swathed in the blanket of her fellow musicians. Francesca Bono’s words lean towards the poetic and, with a heart beating behind them, they gain a near spiritual quality as they loop around you.
No doubt many will regard an album like this as too serious for their tastes but connoisseurs of the true art of music will likely regard “Crumpled Canvas” as an album worthy of deeper consideration whilst on their journey to discover the link between music and the human condition. Her heart beats because it needs to.