The 2000 debut from Pleasant Stitch is an intriguing presentation of aurally intoxicating beats and plush, orchestral soundscapes done up in a somewhat murky, trance-like vein. Lead vocalist Sarah-Jane Hill sings with the subtlety of a young Debbie Harry, with some Macy Gray and Nelly Furtado tossed in to make it palpable for the neo-trip-hop/techno audience. Hill wraps her delicately pitched stylings around the grooves in the lyrics, moving from a silky whisper to a growl and back to a siren’s sweet song, all the while using the space between sounds to explore the edges of new music. Pleasant Stitch doesn’t use a DAT or any highly programmed sounds in their work. Instead, they use real instrumentation as much as possible to embrace experimental melodies, some voice-over samples, and Björk-like harmonies to achieve an all at once unique and pleasurable assortment of music. “Liquid Time” rates as one of the most traditional-sounding songs in the bunch, with accessible melody, mood, and momentum. “Unre” and “Smoove” utilize keys and percussion for a more rounded and bottom-heavy delivery. This release deserves credit for daring to stretch the boundaries of what passes for popular music. – Roxanne Blanford
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