Two Album Reviews
Mar. 16th, 2012 12:05 pmThese are the two albums I got from Intoxica! When I visited London on Wednesday.
Jane Siberry – The Walking.(Reprise LP 1988)
“The Walking” is probably as close to Kate Bush's 'The Dreaming' as art pop gets. The new wave feel of her previous albums is gone, giving way to ambient and prog influences. Although not without some moments of cheese ('Red High Heels', 'Ingrid (and the Footman)' and, to a much lesser extent, the title track), this is one of the albums that prove Jane Siberry as an exceptionally creative and original pop songwriter. 'The Bird in the Gravel' is probably my favourite two-chord based song ever.
Don Robertson – Dawn (Akarma LP)
Another long lost classic from late 60's raga rock musical excursions. "Dawn" is an artefact from the composer and multi instrumentalist Don Robertson. This is an ambitious album full of raga ornamentations and almost strictly instrumental (excepted female narrations in one title). Taken all together the compositions are articulated as a colourful evocation of Hinduism mysticism and abstract energies taken from mental, introspective pictures. The album opens with an eastern, acoustic spaced raga entirely composed for buzzing sitar chords and crystalline harp echoing effects. This gentle spiritual theme carries on "Why?" a peaceful interlude made of natural sounds. "Contemplation" is a wonderful freak out rock instrumental for electric guitars, rolling "ritual" drum parts and a "droning", "haunting" organ ambiance. "Where?" is an other little, simplistic raga piece for sitar. "The Candle" is a dreamy evocation of sounds, delivering a delicate trio between organ, bells and sitar. "Belief" is an epic drone composition with long form sitar sequences, luminous bells, deep monotonous organ patterns and sound collages of rain and thunder. Raga rock mantra. So good!
Jane Siberry – The Walking.(Reprise LP 1988)
“The Walking” is probably as close to Kate Bush's 'The Dreaming' as art pop gets. The new wave feel of her previous albums is gone, giving way to ambient and prog influences. Although not without some moments of cheese ('Red High Heels', 'Ingrid (and the Footman)' and, to a much lesser extent, the title track), this is one of the albums that prove Jane Siberry as an exceptionally creative and original pop songwriter. 'The Bird in the Gravel' is probably my favourite two-chord based song ever.
Don Robertson – Dawn (Akarma LP)
Another long lost classic from late 60's raga rock musical excursions. "Dawn" is an artefact from the composer and multi instrumentalist Don Robertson. This is an ambitious album full of raga ornamentations and almost strictly instrumental (excepted female narrations in one title). Taken all together the compositions are articulated as a colourful evocation of Hinduism mysticism and abstract energies taken from mental, introspective pictures. The album opens with an eastern, acoustic spaced raga entirely composed for buzzing sitar chords and crystalline harp echoing effects. This gentle spiritual theme carries on "Why?" a peaceful interlude made of natural sounds. "Contemplation" is a wonderful freak out rock instrumental for electric guitars, rolling "ritual" drum parts and a "droning", "haunting" organ ambiance. "Where?" is an other little, simplistic raga piece for sitar. "The Candle" is a dreamy evocation of sounds, delivering a delicate trio between organ, bells and sitar. "Belief" is an epic drone composition with long form sitar sequences, luminous bells, deep monotonous organ patterns and sound collages of rain and thunder. Raga rock mantra. So good!