(Western Vinyl/Longtime Listener)

Texan seven-piece specialising in swelling, folksy instrumentals

Although Balmorea experiment with textures and instrumental composition, you are not about to confuse them with Tortoise, Mogwai or even The Dirty Three, for that matter (though they briefly resemble the latter in the lengthy track Harm And Boon, which also includes one of the record’s few examples of angular electric guitar). Where Battles would put clattering percussion and treated vocals or Mogwai would put a guitar meltdown, Balmorea are all about piano, strings and an all-over acoustic vibe. It’s fitting that there’s a track entitled Elegy, because much of this album could be a soundtrack to a melancholic, atmospheric Western (or at least a Steinbeckian period piece). Tiny Vipers’ Jesy Fortino provides wordless vocals to November 1 1832, while opening track Settler could be heralding the arrival of the Carnivale cast into some unknown dustbowl. Taking the theories of modern classical music, American traditional folk and experimental rock, Balmorhea mix it all up into a majestic whole. Also includes a remix disc.

***˝

MATT THROWER

Comments (1)

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*