In the style of Burt Bacharach, Stephen Merritt and Belle & Sebastian, The Sharp Things continues their journey of orchestral pop with Foxex & Hounds. Perry Serpa leads the 10 plus member band as singer-songwriter and pianist to boot. His voice is unabashedly susceptible. Serpa’s lyrics are filled with a bit of darkness and self-destruction. It could be indicative of a low part of his life.

Foxes & Hounds starts of with “There Will Be Violins” where Serpa sings “Put down the guitars you have nothing to say through them anymore.” The song is constructed well lyrically and the violins do make do make a valuable augmentation to this piece. “The Suicide Bombers” is a lovely 70s themed song. Soon you’re wondering if Barry White might make a cameo but Serpa takes it home with “Setting up for the inevitable fall / Sitting poolside at the Mondrian / Letting the life imitate it all.” “The Most Dangerous Man In The Living Room” starts of in a little pizzicato exchange but changes into a short ballad with the same sort of theme as the rest of the album. Serpa does well in composing these songs honestly in an eloquent fashion.

The Sharp Things is a nice change of pace. Orchestral pop did not die after Belle & Sebastian’s Dear Catastrophe Waitress it merely took a short vacation where bands such as The Sharp Things could polish and shine.