There is something inherently cute about Scandinavian bands who sing in
English (blame it on Bjork). Twigs are especially charming thanks to Katy
Penny's honeyed vocals, and the prevalence of relationship songs on this
album (I assume -- the lyrics were often distorted or otherwise difficult to
decipher). The adorability factor makes it difficult to take even the most
desolate lyrics on Epicure as they are intended to be taken. Fortunately, I
was knocked out of my patronising listening pattern by instrumentation that
contrasts sharply with Katy's smooth vocals. Twigs percussion and guitar
sounds transit between the extremes of jarring/abrasive and soft/soothing,
often nearly overpowering the vocals -- an effect that succeeded in drawing
me in only to push me away. I often found myself lured into a dreamy,
forlorn song, only to be (happily) shocked out of it halfway through. No
amount of gritty guitar can disguise the cuteness of Twigs though: they are
signed to Winnipeg's Endearing Records and will be touring Canada and the US
this summer with the help of funding from the Norwegian government -- cute.
(Offbeat, Canada, June 2001)