As in 2011, January has been a fairly low-key month in terms of releases - or at least releases that have piqued my interest. Here are my pick of the bunch, along with a taster video from each.
The Caretaker - Patience (After Sebald)
After last year's exquisite An Empty Bliss Beyond This World introduced me to The Caretaker (and inspired this blog's name no less), I've been eagerly awaiting this new release, based on Grant Gee's film of the same name.
The film is, and I quote, "an exploration of the work and influence of German writer WG Sebald (1944 – 2001), told via a long walk through coastal East Anglia tracking his most famous book The Rings of Saturn." (http://www.artevents.info/projects/current/the-re-enchantment/patience-after-sebald). I don't mind admitting however, that I know next to nothing about either Grant Gee or WG Sebald.
The Caretaker's albums are notoriously limited in numbers when it comes to the vinyl release, so I made sure I was quick off the mark in pre-ordering this one. I've since been lucky enough to find a vinyl copy of the aforementioned An Empty Bliss...., although it didn't come cheaply.
Chosen as his source material this time round are Franz Schubert works from around 1927. The album has a familiar style to it in relation to his previous release, but features a darker undertone, and throughout most of the duration a static hiss distorts the compositions.
Side A peaks with When The Dog Days Were Drawing To An End, which despite it's repetitive nature (a recurring theme in this artist's repertoire after-all), proves a captivating listen and is the LP's most ballroom-esque moment.
Increasingly Absorbed In His Own World, with it's almost jazz-like piano lightens the mood on side B after a run of decay-filled eerie numbers, and then the final two tracks allow the album to fizzle out with a soothing, dream-like finale.
Album of the month.
After last year's exquisite An Empty Bliss Beyond This World introduced me to The Caretaker (and inspired this blog's name no less), I've been eagerly awaiting this new release, based on Grant Gee's film of the same name.
The film is, and I quote, "an exploration of the work and influence of German writer WG Sebald (1944 – 2001), told via a long walk through coastal East Anglia tracking his most famous book The Rings of Saturn." (http://www.artevents.info/projects/current/the-re-enchantment/patience-after-sebald). I don't mind admitting however, that I know next to nothing about either Grant Gee or WG Sebald.
The Caretaker's albums are notoriously limited in numbers when it comes to the vinyl release, so I made sure I was quick off the mark in pre-ordering this one. I've since been lucky enough to find a vinyl copy of the aforementioned An Empty Bliss...., although it didn't come cheaply.
Chosen as his source material this time round are Franz Schubert works from around 1927. The album has a familiar style to it in relation to his previous release, but features a darker undertone, and throughout most of the duration a static hiss distorts the compositions.
Side A peaks with When The Dog Days Were Drawing To An End, which despite it's repetitive nature (a recurring theme in this artist's repertoire after-all), proves a captivating listen and is the LP's most ballroom-esque moment.
Increasingly Absorbed In His Own World, with it's almost jazz-like piano lightens the mood on side B after a run of decay-filled eerie numbers, and then the final two tracks allow the album to fizzle out with a soothing, dream-like finale.
Album of the month.
First Aid Kit - The Lion's Roar
Following on from 2010's charming folk introduction The Big Black And The Blue, the young Swedish sisters (who came to prominence with their cover of Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song ) have gone all country.
That word alone was enough to make me sceptical of their new album The Lion's Roar, and indeed upon first listen, the opening title-track aside, I was left rather disappointed.
However, on subsequent listens it becomes apparent that despite their move in the Garth Brooks direction, what remains are the innocent hooks and sweetly harmonised vocals that made their debut a sleeper hit. It will be interesting to see where they go from here though.
Following on from 2010's charming folk introduction The Big Black And The Blue, the young Swedish sisters (who came to prominence with their cover of Fleet Foxes' Tiger Mountain Peasant Song ) have gone all country.
That word alone was enough to make me sceptical of their new album The Lion's Roar, and indeed upon first listen, the opening title-track aside, I was left rather disappointed.
However, on subsequent listens it becomes apparent that despite their move in the Garth Brooks direction, what remains are the innocent hooks and sweetly harmonised vocals that made their debut a sleeper hit. It will be interesting to see where they go from here though.
Small Black - Moon Killer Mixtape
Strictly speaking this was released in December 2011, but due to the usual busyness of the festive period, I didn't get round to checking this out until early in the New Year. So I'm including it – my blog, my rules.
This free release is the follow up to 2010's New Chain, which rode upon the Chillwave, erm, wave. That album however was one of the highlights of that movement, and this mixtape retains the best elements of their debut whilst adding in some guest vocal spots (Heems), and a move towards hip-hop terrain.
Strictly speaking this was released in December 2011, but due to the usual busyness of the festive period, I didn't get round to checking this out until early in the New Year. So I'm including it – my blog, my rules.
This free release is the follow up to 2010's New Chain, which rode upon the Chillwave, erm, wave. That album however was one of the highlights of that movement, and this mixtape retains the best elements of their debut whilst adding in some guest vocal spots (Heems), and a move towards hip-hop terrain.
Starving Weirdos - Land Lines
An intriguing recommendation by the brilliant Boomkat this, and the samples featured on their website were enough to convince me to part with some money for the vinyl edition.
Droney (Middle?) Eastern mysticism, mixed with elements of jazzy instrumentation, I can imagine this album sound-tracking some kind of arty horror movie.
I'm still getting to grips with this, and will be exploring it further over the coming weeks. For the time being though, it has impressed me enough to include it here.
An intriguing recommendation by the brilliant Boomkat this, and the samples featured on their website were enough to convince me to part with some money for the vinyl edition.
Droney (Middle?) Eastern mysticism, mixed with elements of jazzy instrumentation, I can imagine this album sound-tracking some kind of arty horror movie.
I'm still getting to grips with this, and will be exploring it further over the coming weeks. For the time being though, it has impressed me enough to include it here.
Errors - Have Some Faith In Magic
I've only had the opportinity to hear this in the last few days, so it's too early to form a solid opinion on it. However, early impressions are really good, and the opening track Tusk should be enough to prompt anyone to investigate further.
I've only had the opportinity to hear this in the last few days, so it's too early to form a solid opinion on it. However, early impressions are really good, and the opening track Tusk should be enough to prompt anyone to investigate further.
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