After listening to an album as beautiful as this, I feel that any attempt to describe it in words will destroy the beauty. But how else can I communicate the treasure that this album is?During the first two songs, a succinct description that comes to mind is "darkwave meets bluegrass," mainly due to the use of banjo in these slow, haunting tunes. But after track two, the banjo disappears and the sound seems to move to a kind of alternative rock with the influence of Native American music sounds. So then is it "darkwave meets western"? I guess that's part of what appeals to me about this album: I've never heard anything like it, so I can't file it away in any category. It is fresh and unique.
All of the songs are dark and very slow, but never do I feel that the album drags; it is beautiful, it is mesmerizing.
Instrumentation varies somewhat by song. The first two songs use banjo with fluid, sliding electric guitars; "Aeolian Harp" uses an organ while the vocals and electric guitars groan. "The Way" is a brief instrumental that uses a slide guitar with interesting percussive instruments. The instruments in "Snake Bite" sound rusty, if you can imagine what I mean by that, then in the latter part of the song, a stringed instrument is used, perhaps a cello, and the bow is bounced on the strings for an interesting effect. "Story And Pictures" starts with floating darkwave-style strings, then moves to piano. Electric guitars are used in various ways in all the songs.
Added sound effects provide an imaginary landscape. A sound in "Story And Pictures" reminds me of a woodpecker or a slowly creaking door; it is accompanied by church tower bells. I can't even begin to describe the interesting sounds found in the 5-minute mood-setting introduction of the 14-minute song, "Animalitos." All I can say is, they paint a vivid mental picture through sound.
The male vocals are usually at low register, with a pensive mood. Several of the songs have no vocals at all.
Speaking of vocals, here are a couple lyrics that stand out to me:
From "Cripplegate": "I wish to know nothing here, save for the blood of the cross; in you alone there is no harm."
From "Story And Pictures": "...tough-skin cowboy; idle hands, they rust..."
From "Aeolian Harp": "There is no buffalo outside, rifle child; it is more than hunger that betrays my heart."
If you are interested in hearing something unusual, something dark and beautiful, I highly recommend this album.
No need for me to blush
Darkwave meets bluegrass?