Shing-a-lings
CD Reviews
Arovane: Lilies (IDM, pastoral electronica, ambient)
This recording which was released early last year just doesn't want to leave its spot in my antiquated 5 CD-go-round player. In a time when technology is taking over music and most electronic music you hear sounds like it was composed by cold calculating machines or pre-pubescent ecstacy fueled ravers, it's a joy to hear a release such as this that brings together the machine and mind in a flowing seamless manner. Arovane is Uwe Zahn from Deutschland and he's been at it for some time now. His previous 2 or 3 efforts have been interesting but with Lilies he really has taken it to a new level. The feel of the album is very nostalgic with its use of bells, harpsichord, chimes, strings and keyboards all delicately laid out over sparse deep resounding grooves. So the result is more of an organic experience than a synthetic one.
Zahn is in no rush letting his wintery pieces evolve. The opening track, Ten Hours sets the mood of the CD with an extremely lush string arrangement, and beautifully recorded harpsichord resounding ethereal passages over the top of it all. Behind it all you will hear a field recording of muffled voices and what sounds like passing ships. I'd have to say this CD is pretty damn nice to chill out to. But it never gets sentimental or New-Agey. Mr.Zahn apparently travelled to Japan before recording this one and bits and pieces of sampled material from Nihon comes through in the music. And a Japanese vocalist, Kazumi appears on one track. Rating: B+
Archer Prewitt: Wilderness (post-rock, indie acoustic pop)
Prewitt comes to us from the Chicago-based, post-rock band The Sea and Cake. And this new solo release of his happens to be on the same label, Thrill Jockey, home of post-rock dieties, Tortoise. If you are familiar with the sound of The Sea and Cake you know how difficult it is to slap a label on their music. This CD falls into the same elusive area. But, whereas The Sea and Cake use acoustic and electronic means to produce light but progressive rockish music, Wilderness goes down a more Americana even countryish avenue. But don't get turned off by the sound of it. Prewitt along with Mark Greenberg, Dave Max Crawford, and Chris Manfrin are drinking deep from the well of psychedelica and sun-drenched folk. The overall sound of the CD is very earthy. Prewitt's lyrics reflect a sort of deeply personal interpretation of nature and love. His voice is a lovely tenor which goes nicely alongside his warm acoustic strumming and plucking. In addition to the good ol' guitar many other instuments are employed including piano, mellotron, vibes, organ, stylophone and trumpet. All of the tracks are nice on this. Standouts include: Leaders, Think Again and the title track, Wilderness which wraps up the whole thing. Simply put, Archer Prewitt has created a album chock full of feeling. You might feel nostalgic listening to this as I did, and then also think that you've never quite heard anything like it before. Rating: B
Arovane: Lilies (IDM, pastoral electronica, ambient)
This recording which was released early last year just doesn't want to leave its spot in my antiquated 5 CD-go-round player. In a time when technology is taking over music and most electronic music you hear sounds like it was composed by cold calculating machines or pre-pubescent ecstacy fueled ravers, it's a joy to hear a release such as this that brings together the machine and mind in a flowing seamless manner. Arovane is Uwe Zahn from Deutschland and he's been at it for some time now. His previous 2 or 3 efforts have been interesting but with Lilies he really has taken it to a new level. The feel of the album is very nostalgic with its use of bells, harpsichord, chimes, strings and keyboards all delicately laid out over sparse deep resounding grooves. So the result is more of an organic experience than a synthetic one.
Zahn is in no rush letting his wintery pieces evolve. The opening track, Ten Hours sets the mood of the CD with an extremely lush string arrangement, and beautifully recorded harpsichord resounding ethereal passages over the top of it all. Behind it all you will hear a field recording of muffled voices and what sounds like passing ships. I'd have to say this CD is pretty damn nice to chill out to. But it never gets sentimental or New-Agey. Mr.Zahn apparently travelled to Japan before recording this one and bits and pieces of sampled material from Nihon comes through in the music. And a Japanese vocalist, Kazumi appears on one track. Rating: B+
Archer Prewitt: Wilderness (post-rock, indie acoustic pop)
Prewitt comes to us from the Chicago-based, post-rock band The Sea and Cake. And this new solo release of his happens to be on the same label, Thrill Jockey, home of post-rock dieties, Tortoise. If you are familiar with the sound of The Sea and Cake you know how difficult it is to slap a label on their music. This CD falls into the same elusive area. But, whereas The Sea and Cake use acoustic and electronic means to produce light but progressive rockish music, Wilderness goes down a more Americana even countryish avenue. But don't get turned off by the sound of it. Prewitt along with Mark Greenberg, Dave Max Crawford, and Chris Manfrin are drinking deep from the well of psychedelica and sun-drenched folk. The overall sound of the CD is very earthy. Prewitt's lyrics reflect a sort of deeply personal interpretation of nature and love. His voice is a lovely tenor which goes nicely alongside his warm acoustic strumming and plucking. In addition to the good ol' guitar many other instuments are employed including piano, mellotron, vibes, organ, stylophone and trumpet. All of the tracks are nice on this. Standouts include: Leaders, Think Again and the title track, Wilderness which wraps up the whole thing. Simply put, Archer Prewitt has created a album chock full of feeling. You might feel nostalgic listening to this as I did, and then also think that you've never quite heard anything like it before. Rating: B
posted by R.Chip DeGlinkta at 9:03 PM
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