Cam Butler - Dark Times (Symphony No 2)

‘Dark Times (Symphony No. 2)’ is the eagerly awaited follow up to Cam Butler’s critically lauded 2006 album ‘See (Symphony No. 1)’. Comprising eight dynamic, violin and electric guitar-led tracks, this is Butler’s fifth solo outing since 2003, along with the four albums released by his band Silver Ray (the last of which being ‘Homes For Everyone’, released on Broken Horse Records in the UK).

Inspired by a love of medieval music, the symphonies of Beethoven and epic, Australian guitar music, Butler concocts an alluring sound through these darkly-driven instrumentals; wonderfully colourful arrangements and fiery performances present the listener with a sound that is at once striking and unique.

Shades of Morricone-esque melodic passages are found alongside emotive pieces of low-key ‘Hungry Ghosts-style’ guitar ambience, giving the album its dramatic sense of pace and breath. The ambition of the compositions found here makes ‘Dark Times’ an album that’s hard to categorise. Is it instrumental rock? Sure, but it also contains elements of folk, drone, surf, prog, and more; like The Dirty Three busting a jam with Mogwai, or The Tindersticks making a collaborative album with Duane Eddy? Ah hell, these types of comparisons just don’t do it justice - upon playing ‘Dark Times’, it becomes clear that this is simply a great record, well worthy of repeat listening.

Butler’s often ‘otherworldly’ guitar playing is complimented perfectly by the distinct and graceful tones of The Shadows of Love Orchestra (the collective musicians Butler assembled for the album), specifically the gorgeous violin playing of Andrea Keeble, who along with Cam, gives the music its sense of emotion; at times melancholic, at other times totally cutting…you can imagine the musicians featured here would deliver a staggering live performance.

Up until now ‘Dark Times’ has only been available to buy in Australia. We now have a very limited supply of this great record, so if you enjoy the sorrowful arrangements of The Bad Seeds, the dynamic builds of Godspeed! You Black Emperor and the slick, mystique of The Black Heart Procession, then ‘Dark Times’ is a record for you.

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