After much deliberation this week involving many dubious considerations
& stifled laughter we banged Windy & Carl's new CD on to stall
the tidal wave of giddy mania & shredded nerves that ensued whilst
trying to decide on AOTW. And you know what happened next? The office
was swathed in a calm zen-like atmosphere of blissed out melancholy.
Brett stopped shuddering after freezing at home wrapped in Afghan
layers, I stopped swearing insanely at all the stupid records that had
come in and were burying my soul and young Anthony (officially still
under 30 yrs) ceased weeping at the deluge of pointless e-mails asking
if we could get one of 6 marbled crimson 8" lathe cuts by Albert Pigeon
Fancier & the birdturds. This legendary husband & wife team
have their fourth long player out for your delectation and it's an
absolute gem stuffed with deep, mercurial drones, drifting sheets of
silky somnulent sound, hushed wistful vocals (one song briefly reminds
us of an old Sonic Youth track funnily enough!), cyclic guitar
patterns....it's hard to pick out individual tracks for perusal as this
kinda music woorks best as a sonic journey. For instance whilst
immersing ourselves you realise at some point you're rendered a
floating agog mess until the jarring track 'Rhodes' hits, a wall of
gently discordant metallic drone noise that fluctuates in the most
minimal way before it begins bubbling with Riley-esque undertones that
your ears prick up to hear beyond the quietly industrial melee. On the
much more subtle 'Champion', Windy's voice does remind me of a cross
between Cranes & Christina Carter, a sadness that permeates your
soul. Barely beyond a whisper, she sounds magnificent, her slightly off
-key tones mingling with the minimal guitar textures. It's a special
record is this, the first i've really "studied" by them and i'm pleased
to say i'll be well investigating their prolific back catalogue when I
can. It's CD only at this very moment with a double vinyl to follow in
the next week or so. It's also on Kranky, one of the world's finest
record labels, i'm sure many of you will agree, that's a hallmark of
utter quality. Brilliant.
Love this record? Hate it? Tell us.
What their label says...
This is the fourth album for Kranky from husband and wife duo Windy & Carl, and continues one of the longest relationships the label has maintained with any artist.
Started in early 2007 and finished in the spring of 2008 in the midst of some sudden inspiration, these songs are some of the best Windy & Carl have to offer, signalling a new mark in their ever-developing sound.
Long time fans will hear similarities to earlier works, but anyone who listens to Songs For The Broken Hearted will no doubt find emotions they can respond to and identify with. A collection of love songs, whether it be a presentation of love gone wrong or new love in full bloom, the album is an expression of timeless emotion and universal feeling.
Track listing: 1. Btwn You + Me 2. La Douleur 3. My Love 4. Forever 5. Rhodes 6. Champion 7. When We Were 8. Snow Covers Everything 9. Interlude 10. The Same Moon and Stars
Other items by Windy & Carl
Consciousness Windy & Carl LP (vinyl), £9.99 Sorry - sold out.
