I think I have mentioned this before, but SW is one of my favourite artists around today. I feel very lucky that he keeps pushing and challenging himself creatively to come up with fresh ideas and trying not to repeat himself. He calls this phase his Jazz period – there are definitely elements like that within these groves. Although for every jazz reference, there are more nods to King Crimson, whose back catalogue he was remixing for deluxe editions at the time of writing this record.
Tracks like Sectarian and Raider 2 are epic pieces of music that take the listener on a journey of discovery, and at times are very challenging pieces. Then there are really beautiful tunes like Deform To Form A Star and Postcard that are very accessible and are songs your Mum would like. No Part Of Me is one of my favourite SW tracks, as it has a beautiful almost serene beginning and then (in classic SW style) the dissonant heaviness interjects. Awesome track! The very eerie Remainder The Black Dog is a delightfully, dark, menacing tune – and again with the discordant tones towards the end. Killer tune! One of my favourite SW songs is a menacing tune about serial killers called Index. This time it has that dark electronic tone and groove to create the sinister vibe. I never tire of hearing this, and I love the way it’s developed in the live setting. I’ve already mentioned Raider 2, but I would have gladly paid for this track alone. From the solitary low end tones of the piano, to the manic guitar crunch towards the end, I don’t know anyone who could come up with music like this. Stunning! Then right at the very end of the album, following that supreme darkness of Raider 2, is a beautiful little piece called Like Dust I Have Cleared From My Eye. Only SW would do that.
If you like albums that keep on giving…you know the rest.
10,000/10 from The Grooveman.
