5 ...according to our Business Lady on 23 July 2009.
Haunt the Upper Hallways marks the return of The Declining Winter and introduces, what I assume to be an innovative new release format. 'Haunt the upper hallways' is ten tracks spread over a 7" and a CD. Certainly a cool way of providing plenty of content without pfaffing about trying to find an affordable MP3 download service provider. I like this format a lot oi tell thee. You've got a nice rekkid for home use and a less expensive product you can lend to your pals or play in your vehicle on your way to wherever....it's versatile see! Now the single (mini-album?? i don't know) is totally mint and fully in keeping with what I'd expect from one half of the brothers Hood. I've not heard the first Declining Winter release so it'll be hard to draw comparisons and evaluate their progress so far but i'm really taken by what I've been exposed to so far. The first three tracks that make up the 7" single element of this release remind of my favorite period of Hood and sits somewhere between 'Rustic Houses....' and 'Cycle of days and seasons' with occasional nods towards 'Silent '88'. Obviously, these two projects have alot in common and I'm please to hear that Richard has taken a more organic approach that can be easily replicated live. Familiar sounds are present here, an unmistakable bass playing style that sounds like a lo-fi Hooky type thing, an unmistakable (almost) hip-hop groove to the drum rhythms and some nifty use of violins (or perhaps viola? I'll have to ask) to add texture and atmosphere. These familiar elements are accompanied by Richard's strangely hushed vocal lullaby's. I'm surprised he didn't do more singing in Hood as he sounds really good, I couldn't tell you what he is singing about but his tone perfectly suits the arrangements. The CD portion of the release is slightly more experimental in it's song formats. These tracks are generally sparse and sketch book like with much shorter arrangements and less emphasis on vocal hooks etc. 'Red Brick House' is a particularly good example of how the Adams brothers make songs that sound ace in both directions (in this case reversed!). 'Where the severn rivers thread' has a great groove and an awesome organ sound and 'Goodbye lights LS28' is an eerie yet uplifting little outburst. I could go on and on in detail but you get the idea, it's well good. Seek this out quick and you'll also be treated to an additional remix CD (exclusive to NORMAN RECORDS) featuring the likes of Library tapes, Strategy, Northerner, Part Timer, Fieldhead, The Declining Winter, Winter North Atlantic, James Yates and Glen Shipley. Thats nineteen tunes for £5.99!! Can't say fairer than that, eh? Boss (PLEASE NOTE THE BONUS REMIX DISC HAS NOW SOLD OUT)
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Sound clips for Haunt The Upper Hallways by The Declining Winter: on vinyl at Norman Records UK. 7" (vinyl), Home Assembly, HAM002 I , £6.19.
PLEASE NOTE THE BONUS 9 TRACK REMIX CD IS SOLD OUT!
When the brothers Adams allowed Hood an extended sabbatical it was always going to be interesting to see how far their musical paths would diverge from their unmistakable blueprint. Now temporarily freed from the pressures and expectations of the Hood environment, Richard Adams has breathed an audible sigh of relief into his new project, The Declining Winter. The latest instalment from The Declining Winter is due for release on 29th June 2009. It has taken some time to work out the format for this release but after much deliberation we have decided it should come as a 7" record which includes a CD containing a full album of material. We hope this will satisfy those who require a 'vinyl fix' and everyone else also receives what is effectively The Declining Winter's second full length album on CD, in its own packaging. A slightly unusual format but perfectly in keeping with Adams' idiosyncratic approach to music making. In addition to all this, the first 100 orders will also receive a further CD of remixes of 'Haunt The Upper Hallways' from the likes of library tapes, strategy, northerner, part timer, fieldhead, the declining winter, winter north atlantic, james yates, glen shipley. Throughout the course of 'Haunt The Upper Hallways' you will encounter passages of breathtaking beauty akin to those found on Rachel's mesmerising 'Music For Egon Schiele', followed by wistful, reflective pieces that conjure up comparisons with Robert Wyatt, Deerhunter, Grizzly Bear and latter day Talk Talk. There is a freshness to Adams' approach to songwriting which is beautifully exhibited in the addition of dulcimer and violins throughout these ten mini epics. ‘Haunt The Upper Hallways’, true to Adams’ pedigree, is the work of an artist for whom contradiction, severity, experimentation and dissonance are as much grist to the mill as harmony, melody and concord. Close attention to the multi-layered vocals sometimes reveals that Adams might also be grinding axes or even settling old scores throughout the course of these songs. Or, perhaps it’s just the ramblings of a man lost and confused on the number ninety-one (Pudsey to Chapeltown) bus.
7" Tracklist: Haunt The Upper Hallways/My Name In Ruins/Hey EFD.
CD Tracklist: Haunt The Upper Hallways/My Name In Ruins/Hey EFD/Red Brick Houses/Where The Severn Rivers Tread/Come On Feel The Willingness/Drenched/Goodbye Lights LS28/Carta Remix/Hey EFD (inst).
