Evening of Light » mark baigent

2011: A Retrospective

admin — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:23:45 +0000

We’re joining in the list fever this year – though not before the year is more or less through – with the favourite 2011 records from Evening of Light HQ. Of course we missed tons of good releases out there, but these at least are things we particularly enjoyed. Thanks to all the artists and labels for sharing their music with us.

First the top 10, in alphabetical order.

The A. Lords – The A. Lords (Rif Mountain) [Our Review]

The LP followup to 2006′s self-titled 3″ is a masterpiece of pastoral, almost ambient, folk. Nicholas Palmer and Michael Tanner‘s blend of many acoustic instruments with field recordings, and quite a few fortuitous guest appearances, makes for a wonderful album that started out as a relaxed summer favourite and turned into a classic for all seasons.

Bass Communion – Cenotaph (Tonefloat)

Steven Wilson‘s drone project hits bullseye with this CD/LP release on tonefloat. The four massive tracks on this album combine ultra-deep drones with pulsating beats in a flawless production. One of the most hypnotic releases of the year!

Burial Hex – Book of Delusions (Brave Mysteries) [Our Review]

Aural insanity is one way to describe the utterly original and uncompromising output of Burial Hex the past few years. It appears the project is ending after this year, but Book of Delusions is one of the testaments to its genius, combining drones, samples, organ, piano, demented screams, and hypnotic beats into an unholy musical mixture.

Momick – Momick (Bladud Flies!) [Our Review]

Richard Moult and Michael Lawrence bring their lysergic piano morphing to a debut full length filled with melancholic melodies and soundscapes, including beautiful guest performances by David Tibet on vocals and Mark Baigent on oboe.

Obsequiae – Suspended in the Brume of Eos (Bindrune) [Our Review]

This duo’s excellent blend of death/black metal and mediaeval musical inspiration makes for an album steeped in energy, solid riffs, and awesome melodies. Our metal tip of the year!

Premonition Factory – The Sense of Time (Longstreet) [Our Review]

A flawless ambient album, and a crown on a long tradition. Sjaak Overgaauw‘s live looping technique is marvellous and the mixture of light and dark, soft and harsh on this album marks the coming of age of a most excellent project. This one just keeps on growing and is not only one of our favourite albums of this year, but one of our favourite albums, period.

Rain Drinkers – Springtide (Reverb Worship)

This project is one of our favourite discoveries of the year, and their blend of organic ambient and cinematic music (for lack of a better description) is consistently excellent. Springtide is their finest work, though, featuring marvellous violin and string work, heavy drones, organ, and tons of atmosphere.

Sand Snowman – The World’s Not Worth It (Tonefloat) [Our Review]

Sand Snowman’s most recent album is another winner, with a particularly excellent mix of progressive folk and rock songs, as well as soundscape-like episodes. Great use of piano, flutes, clarinet, and a guest appearance by Steven Wilson make this an excellent new full-length.

Tenhi – Saivo (Prophecy) [Our Review]

Refined as ever, Tenhi’s latest is easily one of the best albums of the year in the neofolk area. Despite staying true to their own style, they’re still quite a distance ahead of most others in this area and Saivo is as much a pleasure to listen as its predecessor from five years ago.

Maarten van der Vleuten – The Scars Remain (Tonefloat)

Of course we’re quite partial to the Van der Vleuten album we released ourselves in 2010, but this year’s return to vinyl (and to tonefloat) is simply a masterpiece. His original electronic compositions are masterfully fused with influences and themes from martial industrial, but with Maarten’s own critical view on the subject matter.

The following albums, too, are all particularly recommended in their own right as quality releases from 2011:

Alcest – Le Secret (Prophecy) [Our Review]:
Rerecording of Alcest’s excellent shoegaze/black metal debut EP.
Peter Bjärgö – The Architecture of Melancholy (Cyclic Law):
The Arcana frontman presents seven nice darkwave/gothic tracks.
Kate Bush – 50 Words for Snow (Fish People):
Surprising and very fulfilling, Bush’s minimal jazzy piano landscapes delight.
Circulation of Light – LEDNAH : Seven Meditations On G.F. Handel’s Organ Concertos Op. 4 (Brave Mysteries):
Acoustic/ambient reinterpretations of a classical piece.
The Cloisters – Little Winter [Our Review]:
Yule album combining harp and ambient by Michael Tanner and Aine O’Dwyer.
Jon DeRosa – Anchored EP (Silber) [Our Review]:
Four pure and lovely indie pop songs from the man behind Aarktica.
The Doomed Bird of Providence – Will Ever Pray (Front and Follow) [Our Review]:
Original and intense nautical neofolk.
The Driftwood Manor – Shelter EP (Rusted Rail):
Five lovely Irish folk tracks on this bonus EP to The Same Figure, Leaving.
Joonatan Elokuu – Earth, Sky, Moon and Sun EP (Utupuu):
Recorded in Holland, Elokuu presents a wonderful blend of neofolk, ambient, and field recordings.
Higuma – Pacific Fog Dreams (Root Strata) [Our Review]:
Gorgeous guitar and vocal drones.
Andrew King – Deus Ignotus (Epiphany) [Our Review]:
Powerful traditional balladry, with a touch of industrial aesthetics.
Machinist – Of What Once Was (Moving Furniture):
Sophisticated drones from the Netherlands.
Richard Moult – Celestial King for a Year (Second Language) [Our Review]:
Experimental compositions for strings and voice.
Raising Holy Sparks – Beyond the Unnamed Bay (Fort Evil Fruit):
Agitated Radio Pilot’s David Colohan returns with his new project, blending lovely folk tunes and experimental electronics.
Rose Croix – Rose Croix (Brave Mysteries) [Our Review]:
Ethereal and martial industrial meet on this nostalgic cassette mini-album.
Ulver – Wars of the Roses (K-Scope) [Our Review]:
Slightly underwhelming, the Norwegians’ latest is still a quality album, particularly the massive spoken word ending.
Vidna Obmana – 1987-2007 – Chasing the Odyssey (Tonefloat) [Our Review]:
Mostly older material, but this 8LP box of ambient glory is too beautiful not to remind you of.
Vortex – Rockdrill (Cyclic Law):
Ritual and rhythmic ambient goodness from this Golgatha side project.

Review: Momick (2011)

admin — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 10:01:47 +0000

artist: Momick
release: Momick
format: LP
year of release: 2011
label: Bladud Flies!
duration: 36:58

detailed info: discogs.com

Momick is a new project by Richard Moult and the bricoleur (Michael Lawrence) where they elaborate upon the mix of piano and electronic manipulation that we first heard on some tracks of Moult’s Ethe album. This style draws upon an exaggeration of the reverberating and drifting qualities of the piano sound, which brings the music somewhere in between classical and ambient.

The melodic tone of Momick is often melancholy or oppressive, and far less bright and folky than the otherwise lovely LP cover suggests. The intensity of the effects overlaying the piano sound wavers, resulting in a nice tension between crisper parts and other moments when the sound is a thick, massive wash, with even an outburst of noise at one point.

Variation between movements is considerable, particularly with the addition of some guest appearances here and there, to wit the lovely oboe of Mark Baigent in the fourth track, and the singular voice of David Tibet in a particularly emotional performance on the fifth. Of particular note too is the sixth movement, with its delightful piano swells that form a melody – or rather, a torrent of chords – that is slightly more uplifting than the rest of the album. The long final piece ends the album as it began, with a more mournful cadence.

Momick is obviously a recommended album if you enjoyed any of Moult’s earlier piano works, particularly Ethe, which featured experiments in this more ambient/electronic direction. For that reason, the album might also appeal to a more general ambient audience who are open to some interstitial dark piano sounds.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. 3:46
2. 4:57
3. 6:17
4. 2:20

5. 5:43
6. 3:35
7. 10:20

Review: Far Black Furlong – Caerbre (2009)

admin — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:00:58 +0000

Digital Cover

CDr Cover

artist: Far Black Furlong
release: Caerbre
format: 3″ CDr, Digital
year of release: 2009
label: Reverb Worship (3″), Box of Woks (Digital)
duration: 19:35

detailed info: discogs.com.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on this website, you’ll know I’ve been very enthusiastic about Far Black Furlong‘s earlier releases. And I’m happy to say that they keep on delivering the goods, starting with this new two-track EP, released on a 3″ CDr by Reverb Worship and as digital download by Box of Woks. The physical edition is limited to 52 copies in beautiful pressed flower paper, so act fast!

The sound on this release is quite ambient, though not as abstract as on Haidd 2. A rather empty beginning with sudden crescendos sets the stage for a dark, mysterious first track, with a lead role for oboe, but other instruments providing a subtle backdrop. The musical theme is basically repeated in the second track, but quite soon, piano and other string instruments add melodic variations that make up the greater part of this track. Combined with the artwork, this EP conjures up a darkened, organic atmosphere that combines perfectly with electro-acoustic approach of the band. With every release, Far Black Furlong manages to use basically the same stylistic ingredients but put the emphasis exactly in a new place, that makes each piece refreshing.

It’s a short EP, and I can be short about it: another brilliant recording by these until now severly overlooked British masters of ambient, acoustic and classical sounds. This one deserves your full attention if you are interested in experimental ambient music in any way.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Time Lapse At Caer Din (9:03)
2. Winter Flowers, Caerbre (10:32)

Review: Far Black Furlong – Far Black Furlong / Haidd 2 (2007)

admin — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:00:49 +0000

Far Black Furlong

artist: Far Black Furlong
release: Far Black Furlong / Haidd 2
format: 2xCD
year of release: 2007
label: ICR
duration: 1:34:05

detailed info: discogs.com

After being thoroughly impressed by the previous EP The East Room, I kept a close eye on Far Black Furlong, one of the most promising experimental folk and ambient projects to come out of the UK in recent times. I was, of course, very excited about this new release, and a double one, no less. The self-titled album is actually the first full length release by the band, and for good measure, the first edition of it comes with a bonus disc, containing a reworked version of the Haidd EP, which was released on Barl Fire records in 2006.

The music on Far Black Furlong keeps the middle ground between the electro-acoustic ambient of Haidd and the improvised folk sounds of The East Room. In addition, elements both old and new are added to the mix. Poet Bryony Lees, who appeared on the Full Gathering Moon EP, starts off the album with a reading another of her poems. Now, poetry recitals are always a bit hit-and-miss for me, and I’m afraid I find the reading a bit lacklustre; it distracts from the poem itself, which is actually very good, not to mention mysterious and fitting to the music. During the recital, some new instruments are introduced into the mix as well: flute by Amanda Votta (The Floating World) and hammered dulcimer by John Letcher. Both guest artists add great depth to the soundscapes on this album, and especially the dulcimer has a very prominent role on the album.

The album is constructed as a whole, but it is divided into six seamless movements, each with its own mood. The first one, as said, features the poem, and introduces the mysterious soundscapes the make up the rest of the album. Over the course of it, we’re treated to that typical mixture of ambient soundscapes, but with solo roles for many of the instruments. The second track focuses mostly on the dulcimer, while the third has a prominent role for flute and field recordings. It gradually fades into the epic fourth movement, where dulcimer and electric guitar enter into an exciting duet. The fifth, then, features a piece of the wonderful oboe work of Mark Baigent which shone on The East Room. Accompanying it, more of Ian Tengwall‘s guitar playing, and let’s not forget Richard Moult on piano! But, underneath, the current is picking up, hinting at Andy Cotterill‘s dark ambient waves that dominate the final movement.

I find all of this incredibly rewarding. The musical depth and detail is magnificent, and rewards close listening, yet it is also strong enough to impress on a superficial going-over. Abstract though most of the music may be, there are strong thematic suggestions: the turning of the seasons and nature’s cycles, inner and outer landscapes… exactly what I love to hear in music of this kind.

Haidd 2

Then, a few words about the bonus disc. The original Haidd was the band’s most abstract piece thus far, and in that sense, Haidd 2 is a natural follow-up. In actual fact, it takes the ‘ambientness’ a step further. The original featured sections of oboe and other instruments, and parts of it were constructed in a way similar to the self-titled album reviewed here. But Haidd 2 is really stripped down, compared to that. Andy Cotterill really took the track apart and moulded it into a massive, but subtle ambient track. Both versions share the forlorn, drifting atmosphere, but the new version intensifies it through a minimalism of sound. The result is quite simply an excellent, detailed half hour drone trip – well worth the extra money for the special edition, in any case!

In short, Far Black Furlong haven’t ceased to amaze me so far. If you’re looking for thoroughly original music that seamlessly blends acoustics and electronics, folk, ambient, classical, improv, etc., etc. – this is it… Highly recommended, and one of the best albums of the year.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

Far Black Furlong:
1. One (3:01)
2. Two (7:49)
3. Three (4:53)
4. Four (11:31)
5. Five (12:56)
6. Six (19:48)

Haidd 2:
1. Haidd 2 (34:07)

Review: Far Black Furlong – The East Room (2006)

admin — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:00:12 +0000

artist: Far Black Furlong
release: The East Room
format: MP3
year of release: 2006
label: Woven Wheat Whispers
duration: 24:38

detailed info: discogs.com

[Note: The remark about the M.R. James story in the second paragraph turned out to be incorrect. There is actually no such story, and it was apparently made up by Mark Coyle of the label in a flight of fancy.]

Far Black Furlong is an English experimental (folk) music project, with a varying cast of musicians. The core members are pianist and composer Richard Moult, oboeist Mark Baigent, electronic artist Andy Cotterill and guitarist Ian Tengwall. Guest artist on this release, I assume on hurdy-gurdy, is Anne Marie Summers of Misericordia, among other mediaeval ensembles.

The East Room, inspired by an apparently unfinished story by famous English scholar and writer M.R. James, is the third release by the band, after two previous EPs. Like the earlier releases, this one proves that Far Black Furlong is a very interesting newcomer in the musical underground, operating between folk, ambient, classical and mediaeval music. More concrete than the long soundscapes of the previous EP Haidd, The East Room takes us to the mysterious chamber from the story in four movements.

During these four instrumental songs, different instruments combine to create a rich musical depiction of the mysterious atmosphere that pervades the theme of the album. Subtle touches of piano occur everywhere, and often we hear support of recorder, hurdy-gurdy, pipes, harp, and the exquisite sound of the oboe. These are trained musicians at work on untrodden ground – one of the most innovative bands I’ve heard in quite some time. Elements from mediaeval and classical music and folk are blended in perfectly with experimentation and improvisation to create something unique. The music on this album is sometimes calm (movement II and IIII) sometimes threatening and intense (the mad guitar and pipes duet on III), but always mystic and atmospheric.

It’s not an easy job to describe exactly what’s going on in these 25 minutes, but I think it’s magical. If, by any chance, you have the John Barleycorn Reborn compilation, be sure to play “The East Room V” after listening to this, because it’s a brilliant epilogue to finish off an already quite strong EP. This is one of the most impressive release I’ve heard lately, and I recommend everyone to go and check this out – I don’t think you’ll regret it! It’s only available as an MP3 download from Woven Wheat Whispers, but it comes with a high-quality booklet for home printing. Keep the name Far Black Furlong in the back of your head, I’m sure a lot more beautiful music will come from this direction!

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. The East Room I (7:03)
2. The East Room II (5:47)
3. The East Room III (5:15)
4. The East Room IIII (6:33)