Azam Ali makes her own elysium

I have a thing for vocal talent. An amazing or (pleasantly) unique singing voice can draw me into an artist’s web even if their musical backing is weak.

I especially have a weakness for ethereal voices. I listened to Dido’s album “No Angel” for months without break, unable to get enough of her voice. When I heard “In This Divide” from Azam Ali on a podcast over the summer, I couldn’t take it off of repeat.

Right now I’m stuck on Azam Ali’s summer 2006 release “Elysium for the Brave,” which contains some of the most beautiful singing my ears have been graced with hearing.

One of the most fascinating things about Ali is that she often doesn’t actually sing lyrics - she just vocalizes, letting her voice, the tone, and the music carry the meaning. When there are lyrics on “Elysium for the Brave,” they tend to be in English, unlike her first album. This is her second solo album; she typically does soundtrack work or works with Greg Ellis in their duo Vas.

What’s unique and captivating about this album is that Ali treats her voice as an instrument. The vocals aren’t separate from the percussion and rhythm, like in many popular styles of music; while the focus of most songs is on her voice, it’s more like Peter White’s guitar music - the focus is on his guitar playing, because, well, he’s a guitar player. Ali is a vocalist. That said, there’s plenty of good music accompanying her voice, including Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto of King Crimson.

Despite my huge crush on the album, it has a few flaws. “The Tryst,” the sixth song on the album, honestly bores me. It may yet grow on me, but for now, I don’t care for it. “Abode” is another that just doesn’t get it for me. One of the best songs on the album, “Spring Arrives,” is also one of the most lyrically simplistic and repetitive. I love it anyway, but I suspect it may be one of the first songs I get tired of.

An unfortunate side effect of Ali’s airy voice is that when she sings sadder songs, it feels as though she’s wallowing in it a bit. A few of the songs delve into minor keys for a little too long.

Overall, though, Azam Ali is an artist I’m pleased to have found and want to share; I’m eagerly waiting to see what limits she’ll push in her next work. “Elysium for the Brave” is definitely worth a listen if you have a hankering for vocal-focused world music.