Snowpoet –
Butterfly EP
DL
2/12/14
Ambient
alternative folk ensemble release their debut EP.
Some people
would argue that all songs are poetry.
Some people would be wrong.
There’s a chasm of difference between lyrics and poetry, and if you
don’t know difference go and listen to your music collection again. Truly listen, are they words or are they structural
masterpieces that have been skilfully constructed with music as a companion? Listen.
The fundamental
nucleus of Snowpoet rests on the heads of vocalist Lauren Kinsella and bassist
Chris Hyson, and the two of them put together melodies and words in an often
improvised manner. Don’t be put off by the improvisation tag, on opener Always
it actually works as delicate words almost whisper over an often incidental
backing later to be joined by the saxophone of Josh Arcoleo (Joss Stone,
Ghostpoet). The almost wild and free
solo adds to the lyrical tale of the intricacies of the human mind.
Second
track, 1953 comes in at little over one minute and its gentle Wurlitzer serves
maybe only as a lead to the (almost) title track Butterflies which starts with
an eerie brushed drum effect. The words
describe the funeral of Hyson’s father where he witnessed butterflies fly
around the coffin of the departed. The
track is certainly reflective of the mood and the hypnotic backing moves wistfully
along to a closing sparkling of synthesized effects maybe simulating the flight
of the insects.
Alive With
Closed Eyes closes the EP as Lauren both speaks and sings a re-work of the poem
I Will Wade Out by American bard E. E. Cummings. Interestingly, the same verse has also been
used by Bjork on her track Sun In My Mouth.
With a backdrop of dripping rain and simple keys it is the highlight of
the mini-collection and a timely reminder that there are constantly artists out
there striving to be original and unique.
8/10
Links
Published on Louder Than War 1/12/14 - here
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