Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement Of The Decline

Our review
Customer reviews
Press release

5...according to our Phil on Thu 29 Mar, 2007.

STARS OF THE LID are back after a long hiatus with a brand new 2CD (vinyl to follow). And Their Refinement Of The Decline sees them in total blistering form. Well as far as Stars of The Lid could ever blister..... it's just about the most breathtaking ambient moving music you'll hear this side of the River Wharf. It's well floaty.... it's like floating in space.....gravity doesn't exist and you're drifting in and out of consciousness as you're surrounded by the blackness..... That's before a comet comes along and smashes your face off. Apparently the dude who runs 4AD says SOTL are making the most important music of the 21st century. That is some recommendation indeed. Why aren't they signed to 4AD then?? This is incredible and for fans of ambient, cinematic lushness this is beautiful stuff. All that and the last track of the album is called December Hunting For Vegetarian Fuckface.... genius.

*"I simply feel that they are making the most important music of the 21st
century." Ivo Watts-Russell - 4AD label founder.
*The long awaited new album from Stars of the Lid is finally ready for your
sonic immersion, and it's truly outstanding.
*Painstakingly recorded, processed and assembled over the last five years,
SOTL once again deliver a massive work filling two compact discs and three
vinyl albums, clocking in at over two hours.
*On this new record SOTL have placed an emphasis on melodic development, moving
their epic soundscapes beyond mere drone and subsequently frustrating all the
typical ambient cliches associated with their music.
*Perhaps the best references for this current work would be found in the score
of the film Le Mepris by Georges Delerue, the orchetral works of Zbigniew
Preisner, or the 1958 CSO/Fritz Reiner recording of Hovhaness' Mysterious
Mountain, specifically the third movement.
*But in the final analysis, such comparisons are superfluous at best, as Stars
of the Lid have created a musical universe in which they are the sole inhabit
-ant. Simply put, this album is a masterpiece.

*Tracklisting: DISK 1 01. Dungtitled (In A Major) 02. Articulate Silences
part 1 03. Articulate Silences part 2 04. The Evil That Never Arrived 05.
Apreludes (In C Sharp) 06. Don't Bother They're Here 07. Dopmine Clouds
Over Craven Cottage 08. Even If You're Never Awake 09. Even (Out) 10. A
Meaningful Moment Through A Meaning(less) Process DISK 2 01. Another
Ballad For Heavy Lids 02. The Daughters Of Quiet Minds 03. Hiberner
Toujours 04. That Finger On Your Temple Is The Barrel Of My Ray Gun 05.
Humectez La Mouture 06. Tippy Demise 07. The Mouthchew 08. December
Hunting For Vegetarian Fuckface

5...according to Dan.

This is absolutely brilliant. I wasn't prepared for the maturity of the writing and the quality of the production - it really is ball-bouncingly-good and recommendable to anyone.

I will eagerly await their next release, that's for sure....

5...according to Ben.

This is a wonderful record.... its that simple. Definitively the most impressive record to come out this year.

Rating: 5 out of 5

So, what do you think? Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!