New York based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (whose main instrument is the violin) Joan Wasser previously played with Rufus Wainwright and was a part of Antony & The Johnsons for many years. Together with Rainy Orteca and Ben Perowsky she then formed Joan As Police Woman. But on this debut album, Wasser is clearly at the heart of the trio and it could easily have been her solo record.
Under the motto 'beauty is the new punk rock', Real Life ties in with the freak folk music of CocoRosie and Antony & The Johnsons, among others. Wasser has a warm and soulful voice and a pure musical beauty (indeed) usually wins over the sometimes somewhat derailed or downright strange arrangements. The latter ensures that it all does not sound too sweet and too good. Her old employer Antony also shows up, in the serene ballad I Defy. But the rest of the album will also please Antony & The Johnson's fans. Real Life has now also been released as a 'special edition', with an extra CD with all b-sides now together on one disc. (MR)more
