Decoder Ring present their long awaited follow-up to 2005's critically acclaimed Fractions, They Blind the Stars, And the Wild Team. By Beth Keating.I'll begin with both a disclaimer and an apology: when it comes to Decoder Ring, don't know much. If this review is in any way simplistic, ignorant or lacking in background details, the above reason would be why. Sincere apologies to serious fans of the band.
In saying that, just because my knowledge is lacking, doesn't mean my interest is. The first single, Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom (which I wrote about previously), gauged my interest in the new release immediately. Epic, inspiring, energetic, and extremely easy on the ears, the song is captivating. These adjectives follow through They Blind the Stars, And the Wild Team's entirety.
Resulting in a dreamlike delivery, this double album could very well be one complete track. Each song moves into the next without pause or hesitation. Like the waves of the unconscious state, it weaves through peaceful lulls and more intense climaxes, through the use of carefully chosen instrumentation. This is comatose post-rock, music inspired by other levels of consciousness, mimicking and re-articulating journeys to other - mysterious - planes of being.
What struck me most about They Blind the Stars..., was its ease of delivery. With no vocals, no traditional song structure, and seemingly no choruses, it's a remarkably easy listen. The music invites the listener, makes them comfortable from it's very first track - the instantly climaxing Beat the Twilight. From this initial point, the listener travels through quiet, catatonic soundscapes, sinking further away from conscious reality with reassuring and familiar xylophonic sounds, gentle beats and orchestral synths. This comfort moves at times towards stronger, chunkier guitars and intense moments of pure noise rock, resulting in an always constant fluidity. Throughout it all though, is a contagious energy. The music - despite the jolts in and out of dreamful bliss - is doused in hope.
I don't feel quite comfortable posting this review yet. They Blind the Stars... has immense depth to it, which I don't think I've fully discovered. It's a strong release, demonstrating Decoder Ring stand on their own in the Australian music landscape. Having taken four years between releases, this is a band which is dedicated it aural exploration and expansion. In an environment rewarding of instant hits and shallow, uncredited homage, it's always inspiring to hear the work of those who have their own unaffected visions, and see them recognised for it. No doubt, They Blind The Stars... will earn Decoder Ring more deserved critical acclaim.
LABEL: Inertia Recordings
RELEASE DATE: 11th July 2009
2 comments:
I'm superkeen for this, I've a lot of time for Decoder Ring. Granted, all I have of theirs is their debut LP and the Somersault OST, but between those two releases and the handful of times I've seen them live, I think it's safe to say I'm a fan.
It's great, solid 2 disc release. I wish I could have said more, as I think it will be a rather important release this year. I don't know much of their other material to be honest, but I very much enjoyed this album. Check out my linked post for an mp3 d/l of Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom. It's lovely.
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