"Lost" by The Winterhouse
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The Winterhouse "Lost"
A follow up to their earlier release "Slow Promises", "Lost" finds collaborators Anthony Paul Kirby and Robert Davies in fine form.On their second disc as The Winterhouse, "Lost", Anthony Paul Kerby and Robert Davies have crafted a beautiful conceptual release that pairs melodic work and drones in a beautiful and engaging style that is easily accessible and engaging. There's a clear sense of narration to the disc, the feeling of a story unfolding, being shared with the listener over the course of it's length, and I think that clarity is a testimony to the strength of the music they make together. "Lost" opens the disc, a cold arctic swell droning in the background. A majestic horn sound plays a minimal melody in the background, languidly filling the soundfield, creating a distinct space. As the track progresses a windy tone enters the space, adding to it, building and growing and expanding the track. It's a beautiful piece, and an excellent track to set the tone for the album. "Leaving" expands on the previous track, beginning with an oscillating drone, then adding drifting tones to expand the width of the track. A lonely horn sound plays in the background, drawing the listener's attention to the forefront of the track while the bed track becomes more complicated and convoluted. A wide selection of field recordings round out the track and as it grows it becomes quite lush and rich in sound. By contrast, "Solitary Lives" seems more contained, with controlled tones humming and boiling throughout. Again there's a broad use of field recordings which blend in nicely with other tones to create oblique variations. Slight melodies rise out of the ether then vanish again before they can be identified, leaving a ghost imprint on the soundfield that adds to the track. It's a long piece, over 20 minutes in length, but it never strays into the realm of unnecessary repetition or boredom. Rather, the track maintains a direction and purpose, building to a particular point and then exploring that point in greater deal once it's been reached. Certainly a very impressive piece of music. Track four, the appropriately named "The Four Corners of Night", suggests a forest environment when I hear it, something natural and organic, majestic. A swelling drone builds up in the soundscape, drawing the listener's focus while minimal melodies play in the background. As the track progresses there's an ominous quality that develops, a feeling of unease and mild tension, nothing to detract from the piece, but certainly something to shift the listener's attention into a different space, a different mood. "Clearing" closes the disc, bringing a sense of peace to the listener, a feeling of resolution and calm. There's a brighter sound to this track, a feeling of floating and drifting, calm and tranquility. As a slow stream of bells close out the disc I feel like I've come out on the other side of a journey, safe and at ease. The pairing of Kerby and Davies works really well on "Lost", nicely demonstrating how two artists can create a distinct and unique sound by blending their individual styles. Clearly, The Winterhouse is an excellent project from two particular talents, and I look forward to further collaboration between the two with much anticipation. rik - ping things
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The Winterhouse "Slow Promises"
Browse other CDs by Anthony Paul Kirby
last updated 05/22/11
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