Tiny Shapes is the debut album of ex-Talkies frontman, Ray Seraphin. Recording under the almost-alias R.E. Seraphin for the first time, Seraphin's Tiny Shapes is paisley pop meets guitar-centric post-punk.
Tiny Shapes
R.E. Seraphin's lyrical point-of-view is both cynical and sentimental - falling somewhere between The Replacements and The Feelies circa The Good Earth. Musically, jangly yet sturdy instrumentation collide with hushed vocals. This approach is best heard in opening cut "Today Will Be Kind": a tune that offers a hopeful view of love gone sour.
Engineered and co-produced by Jasper Leach (Tony Molina) and mastered by Matt Bullimore (The Mantles), Tiny Shapes was written following a move from Austin to the Bay Area. While reacclimating to life back in his hometown, Seraphin enlisted original Talkies rhythm section, Owen Kelley (Sleepy Sun) and Phil Lantz (Neutrals, Cocktails) to help develop his songs.
"Seraphin's music is often under the glow of a bright jangle, these tones more so color in the spaces rather than take center stage, accentuating the crunch and fuzz like light dancing on frosted glass." - Counterzine
"Little guitar stabs and intricately pick notes set the landscape for Seraphin's voice to deliver these smoky whispers." - Austin Town Hall
All songs performed by:
R.E. Seraphin - Vocals, Electric Guitars
Owen Kelley - Bass, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards
Phil Lantz - Drums
Additional help from:
Jasper Leach - Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
Matt Bullimore - Electric Guitars, Keyboards
Yea-Ming Chen - Vocals
Nick Allen - Vocals
All songs written by R.E. Seraphin, except "I'd Rather Be Your Enemy" by Lee Hazlewood
