On Sep 3, 2018, Griffin wrote
(in article<3idqod1k8fc1gdvvg1pl5c2p11m0kd0bql@4ax.com>):
> On Mon, 03 Sep 2018 09:09:01 -0400, beekay<ctte@aol.com> wrote:
>
> Starting with the steady, contemplative piano and slight feedback on
> the opening "We Played Some Open Chords," A Winged Victory for the
> Sullen can't be called a barrel of laughs per se, but their song
> titles -- not to mention their band name -- suggest a knowing
> playfulness with the conventions of moodily beautiful 21st century
> drone/ambient. Given that the core members are composer Dustin
> O'Halloran and Stars of the Lid veteran Adam Wiltzie, it's little
> surprise that both those conventions, and how to work well beyond
> them, are within their grasp on this debut release. Much like some
> Stars of the Lid releases, the album and song names may verge on the
> wry, but without that context, something like the slow strings and
> feeling of suffused sorrow on the first part of "Requiem for the
> Static King," or the involving textures of "Steep Hills of Vicodin
> Tears" simply are what they are, and quite beautifully so at that.
> While the sonic connections to the members' past work are clear, so
> are the distinctions; if the duo is less about full-on beautiful
> drones than Stars of the Lid often were, there's a similar
> appreciation for the slowly unfolding and the calmly insular,
> touchstones ranging as far as George Winston as Eno ("A Symphony
> Pathetique," almost exclusively piano aside from some distant shading
> that appears a little more clearly toward the end, is arguably the
> extreme of this approach on the album, elegantly done every step of
> the way). Even with the titular or seeming snark brought to bear, the
> feeling often seems simply appropriate more than anything else --
> "Minuet for a Cheap Piano" is almost just that, counting the extra
> layered tones in the background, while "All Farewells Are Sudden"
> doesn't close out the album on a quick, final note but a soft, string
> piece fade, a slow wheezing of tone and delay that's a conclusion and
> a half when it comes to wrapping things up with a gentle bow. - Ned
> Raggett
> http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-winged-victory-for-the-sullen-mw0002192994
An accurate and positive review. Thanks for that, Griffin.
I have more AWVFTS if anyone is interested.
-beekay
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