Music Review: Ambrosia Parsley, Weeping Cherry

By Melissa Bratcher

There’s a compelling, understated darkness to Ambrosia Parsley’s Weeping Cherry. The former Shivaree front woman’s new album has an undercurrent of dread and danger running through: off-kilter keyboards, fiery slashes of guitar, dangerous percussion, and Parsley’s own curious, fascinating vocals. The songs are evocative and rich, experimental and strange. Even the most typical song structure (verse-chorus-verse), becomes a bit twisted in her hands.

The opener, the sharply percussive “Empire,” rightfully focuses on Parsley’s singular voice. It’s a foreboding song, with guitar and keyboards mimicking the sounds of wildness, and it feels of woods and worry. The dreamy and ponderous “Rubble” is lean and atmospheric, like moving through quicksand in a dream.

“The Other Side” seems radio friendly, with a big drum sound and a sing-along chorus. The buried keyboard motif is ear catching, and the guitar work is interesting, but it’s all a bit of a funhouse mirror. “Skin & Bone,” too, has an ostensibly song structure, but an incredible feeling of apprehension. With girl group-like back up vocals, there’s a noirish, femme fatale aspect to the song. It’s bracing, particularly when Parsley sings in her rich, gorgeous, low register.

The title track, with the delicious opening line, “That was no way for a queen to act” is dreamy and detached. It’s almost like she’s dropping random phrases out into the lovely melody. Piano chords anchor “My Hindenburg,” another track with a pretty, askew melody on the chorus. “Make Me Laugh” is a dichotomy; the instrumental backing is unusual—a little scary, a bit eerie—and her voice is warm and charming. It’s a dissonant and exceptional piece.

It’s not all delightful oddities on Weeping Cherry. “Catalina” is poetic with evocative turns of phrase, complemented by thoughtful horns and keyboards that shimmer like sun on gentle waves. It is completely lovely. So, too, is “The Answer (Tim and Becky’s Wedding).” Over 1950s style piano with a doo wop leaning, the track is sweet, romantic, and deeply lush.

Weeping Cherry is a brilliant record. It deals with loss and heartbreak, sin and redemption. Ambrosia Parsley has made an album that feels magical and brave, but also incredibly personal.

Weeping Cherry was released by Barbes Records on April 28.