Accolade
Country of origin:
U.S.
Type of music generally:
Ethereal gothic darkwave alternative pop/rock
Status:
Most recent release, Tria Prima (2021)
See also:
Accolade's Bandcamp site
Comparisons:
Dead Can Dance, Miranda Sex Garden
Covers/own material:
Own
General comments:
Accolade play ethereal dark wave in the vein of early Dead Can Dance. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)Accolade has a percussion-driven gothic sound, led by vocalist Stefanie Renée's dramatic vocals. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com).
Recommended first album:
Festivalia
Recordings:
- Festivalia (2012)
- Legends (vinyl + digital, 2014)
- Catharsis of Rhetorik (EP, 2014)
- Tria Prima (2021)
Festivalia
Release info:
2012
Availability:
See Accolade's site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stefanie Renée—vocals, tambourine, zills
Aaron Goldstein—antique reed organ, keyboards, piano, acoustic and electric guitars, bass guitar, percussion
Guest artists:
Sean Henry—keyboards (8)
Produced by:
Aaron Goldstein
Comments:
Accolade's debut is ethereal dark wave with some stunning lead vocals by Stefanie Renée and a slew of intriguing songs. "Blackwater" sees them play a undulating song that makes good use of Renée's operatic vocals. "Circus" is a nicely orchestrated whimsy with a light feel that they capture well. "Black Flame" sees them play a soft and sophisticated song that recalls early Dead Can Dance. It's a highly promising debut. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Legends
Release info:
2014 (vinyl and digital only)
Availability:
See Accolade's Bandcamp site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stefani Reneé—vocals, tambourine, recorder
Aaron Goldstein—guitars, mandolin, organ, keyboards
Cade Burkhammer—drums, percussion
Guest artists:
Mark Grisez—trumpet (2, 5), flugelhorn (2)
Comments:
The second album by Accolade is in the same vein as the first, maybe a little bit more atmospheric and with some epic-length songs. There's a medieval slant to things here, and that suits the band as well.
"Elf King" is a majestic and spooky tune, with Reneé's vocal at its finest.
"The Journey" is an apt title for this song, as it's striking during its lengthy spell.
The closing "The lady of Shalott" is suitably epic, setting the Tennyson poem to a good tune with a medieval feel to it. Reneé's vocals are very beautiful here. It's a lovely album all told. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Catharsis of Rhetorik EP
Release info:
2014
Availability:
See Accolade's Bandcamp site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stefani Reneé—vocals, zills
Sean Henry—keyboards, backing vocals
Aaron Goldstein—bass guitar
Produced by:
Aaron Goldstein and Sean Henry
Comments:
Accolade is joined by Sean Henry on this ep, and it's a good fit for their dark ethereal sound.
The last release looked for inspiration in myth and legend, this one is rooted in the present day.
"Gaze" focuses nicely on Renee's vocals with a more electronic sound than before.
"March" is a more up-tempo song with a steady beat to fuel the vocals.
"Heaven" closes the ep nicely, being a soft song with a feel that's just right.
It's a great record. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)
Tria Prima
Release info:
2021—Danse Macabre Records (Germany)
Availability:
See Accolade's Bandcamp site
Ecto priority:
Recommended
Group members:
Stefani Reneé—vocals, tambourine, zills, percussion
Aaron Goldstein—guitars, keyboards, percussion
Mike Hines--keyboards, percussion
Produced by:
Accolade
Comments:
I wasn't surprised that this disc smelled of patchouli when I opened it—except perhaps that it wasn't at all laidback as pachouli suggests. Instead this is a powerful, percussion-heavy collection, with Stefani René's strong, high, almost operatic vocals leading the sound from the first track. Highly recommended for any fans of dramatic gothic darkwave sound. (sophiagurley@hotmail.com)
Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.
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