Memoryhouse was initially formed as a collaborative multimedia project between Denise Nouvion and Evan Abeele. Their original intent was to use Denise's photographs as creative inspiration for Evan's music, thereby aesthetically grounding each of Evan's compositions. In 2010, Memoryhouse released their debut EP, The Years, which, though some felt it was too short, received many positive reviews. Then, in 2011, the band signed to the Sub Pop label and subsequently re-released an 'improved' version of The Years, which understandably offended some lo-fi aficionados. On February 28, 2012, Memoryhouse will release their debut full length album, The Slideshow Effect, and I'll just go ahead and say right now that it is lyrically, musically, and conceptually amazing.

For those who have not yet been introduced to Memoryhouse, I highly recommend listening to The Years, as the The Slideshow Effect is a natural progression from the band's EP, specifically the re-released version. The lyrics on The Years seem to reference recent events in the lyricist's life, while the lyrics on The Slideshow Effect are more nostalgic and may be recollections and reassessments of those events referenced on The Years. I wouldn't say it's necessary to hear their EP first – The Slideshow Effect easily stands on its own – but if you'd like to see the whole story, or if you are the type who loves analyzing lyrics, it may be worth it.

The Slideshow Effect is most easily classified into the dream-pop genre; however, the band has mentioned that the neo-classical compositions of Max Richter, especially those on his 2001 album Memoryhouse, are a great source of inspiration (so much so that Evan and Denise chose to name their band after Max Richter's album). There are also many country/folk influences throughout The Slideshow Effect. So, this album is hardly just another dream-pop album.

The music on The Slideshow Effect is mesmerizing. It's a joy to listen to this album from start to finish, over and over again. Actually, I've not been able to stop listening to it. Evan's compositions are expressive, deep, and layered. One perfect example of the music's depth and expressiveness is on “Heirloom,” as Denise sings the line “lie on the ground before the lightning strikes,” a short passage of the music evokes the sense that lightning has struck, and only a second later, a struck chord acts as the following thunder. It's thrilling.

As was Memoryhouse's original intent, the conceptual basis and aesthetic grounding of Evan Abeele's compositions remain Denise Nouvion's photographs. Those who enjoy this album may want to browse through Denise's photographs at her website, or take the time to look through the booklet included with the album, in which the song lyrics are layered over Denise's photographs. In fact, while reading through the booklet, it's easy to make a connection between the lyrics and Denise's photographs layered beneath; whether this is intended or not, I can't say, but many times I found myself wanting to read through the booklet as I listened to the album.

Fans of Memoryhouse will find themselves lost in the layers of The Slideshow Effect, making connections between the album's ten tracks or even between those tracks and the band's previous EP, The Years. I attribute this to the fantastic songwriting and recurring lyrical themes, which give the impression that a story is being told as if someone is looking back through an old photo album, recalling memories of a relationship that may have failed or may be failing. For example, in “All Our Wonder,” which details the lyricist's reasons for ending a relationship and subsequent acceptance of the separation, Denise sings, “inside your heart, can't fake a part,” and “we're not the lucky ones, we'll never be the lucky ones.”

Speaking of stories being told, the title of the first song on the album, “Little Expressionless Animals,” is a nod to a wonderful David Foster Wallace short story of the same name, it seems that certain scenes and themes from that short story have had an influence on the lyrical content of The Slideshow Effect, especially on, “All Our Wonder,” “Heirloom,” and obviously, “Little Expressionless Animals.”

David Foster Wallace, though, is not the only literary influence on this album. The title of the fourth track, “Punctum,” references a work by literary theorist Roland Barthes entitled “Camera Lucida,” in which he developed the concept of punctum. As Barthes explained in his book, it is that element of a photograph "which rises from the scene, shoots out of it like an arrow, and pierces me.” In the song, Denise sings of a void in some of her photographs, or a lack of desired punctum: “I can't feel you in these scenes, an absence leaves this incomplete.”

The music on The Slideshow Effect always sounds fresh, and in fact, each composition sounds just right - meshing perfectly with the lyrical content. Denise's vocals are lovely, and more comforting than they have ever been. Her vocal ability has very obviously come a long way since the initial release of The Years. In short, The Slideshow Effect is an amazingly solid album. I could go on all day about it, really, but instead I'll just say it's worth everyone's time.

Track Listing
1. Little Expressionless Animals
2. The Kids Were Wrong
3. All Our Wonder
4. Punctum
5. Heirloom
6. Bonfire
7. Pale Blue
8. Walk With Me
9. Kinds Of Light
10. Old Haunts