Ascend and Descend with Feathers in Hand
An ambitious and grandiose music, all thundering piano, mournful strings, and triumphant horns- a beautiful and disturbing work which takes monumental leaps beyond somnium's first release. One can imagine taking shelter in an arctic blizzard, or an endless rain and turning to the sounds of 'Ascend & Descend' to sooth or further dement- in the stretch, the build, the pulses, the repeated phrase, the counter melody, the octave layers, the sonorous droning that dissipates into the chirping of birds that greets the new day. So perfect than that the album, made in the spring of '02, was constructed in the night, and completed with each arrival of the sun. No theoretical background or musical training to guide, only a vast variety of instrument: violin, bowed guitar, trumpet, piano, full size harp, flute, organ, keyboard, accordion, field recordings, splashing water, and delirium. Brings to mind GY!BE, A Silver Mt. Zion, Stars of the lid. (original came with hand painted and silk screened covers)
- r. condon |
