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I picked up this intriguing little EP/Single completely at random, based pretty much solely on the fact that it was on World Serpent, which, in my experience, tends to mean that an artist has something to recommend it. Well, in this case I was not disappointed. Thinking I would like to hear some more material, I got online and located their website, where I also learned that Backworld is one man, Joseph Budenholzer. There are free samples available, and much of the bands discography can be purchased directly from the website. This is some very good material by a band that deserves more exposure, though for that obscurity the brief biography I located indicated that Backworld has collaborated with such well-known figures as Dave Tibet, Jarboe (also from Swans) and Drew McDowall of Coil.
Upon listening to the CD, the Dave Tibet connection seems reasonably obvious. It is not hard to draw a Current 93 influence here, though the title track has a brighter, more up-beat quality, more reminiscent of psych-folk than apocalyptic folk. The instrumentation is made up of floaty layers of acoustic guitar and violin, and the softly spoken vocals convey strange, mystical images that hint at sex and spirituality: it is no surprise that, on reading the bio, I found that Backworld share a similar brand of Christian mysticism to the one Dave Tibet has been adopting in recent years. This track is definitely a stand-out, very relaxing, peaceful and beautiful.
The other track, the b-side, is completely different: an ethereal affair, seemingly composed entirely of synths and female vocals evoking a spacious, cathedral-like ambience. Though good, the track seems somewhat ephemeral, lacking in substance, especially here on a two-song single, where it might have had its place in an album setting. It is this factor that reduces the overall score from this quite lovely little gem from an 8 or perhaps even a 9, though to be frank it is worth the price of purchase for the title track alone, though purchasing from the website, which seems to be the only place actually selling anything by them, is slightly expensive. A worthy little addition to any music lover's collection.
Quietus
Upon listening to the CD, the Dave Tibet connection seems reasonably obvious. It is not hard to draw a Current 93 influence here, though the title track has a brighter, more up-beat quality, more reminiscent of psych-folk than apocalyptic folk. The instrumentation is made up of floaty layers of acoustic guitar and violin, and the softly spoken vocals convey strange, mystical images that hint at sex and spirituality: it is no surprise that, on reading the bio, I found that Backworld share a similar brand of Christian mysticism to the one Dave Tibet has been adopting in recent years. This track is definitely a stand-out, very relaxing, peaceful and beautiful.
The other track, the b-side, is completely different: an ethereal affair, seemingly composed entirely of synths and female vocals evoking a spacious, cathedral-like ambience. Though good, the track seems somewhat ephemeral, lacking in substance, especially here on a two-song single, where it might have had its place in an album setting. It is this factor that reduces the overall score from this quite lovely little gem from an 8 or perhaps even a 9, though to be frank it is worth the price of purchase for the title track alone, though purchasing from the website, which seems to be the only place actually selling anything by them, is slightly expensive. A worthy little addition to any music lover's collection.
Quietus