Morning Star Part 2
Play: Mid-Fi Hi-Fi
(Excerpt from track 'The Universe Has A Shadow')
Please go to the Store to buy this item.
|
Jim Kirkwood Morning Star Part 2 Play: Mid-Fi Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'The Universe Has A Shadow') Please go to the Store to buy this item. |
Jim often starts an album with a flourish and this one is no exception. On ‘Sanctuary of a Wounded Crow’ claps of thunder blast the atmosphere. The crow in question calls out as if in defiance. This is contrasted by soft flute and the ringing of church bells. A slow twangy loop and staccato sequence take us forward then a blistering anguished lead line spits venom. Absolutely fantastic! The pace quickens as another sequence muscles in, the lead responding to it by packing an ever harder punch. Things become increasingly intense as we progress. Pulsations are falling like an avalanche, the leads flashing as if bolts of pure energy. One of the most amazing openers he has ever done. Things calm down for ‘Eala Erendel’. Birdsong mixes with wordless, sighing pads. A little melody swirls in the heat haze. A metallic sequence provides a little focus as we stir from our sleepfulness. A second sequence adds some urgency, the third getting us into a hypnotic groove. All then descends to a shimmering dreamland. Bells chime out as the pace starts to quicken on the back of a captivating melodic loop and chugging rhythm. It’s still rather soothing but gradually sequences are added along with further leads which enhance the excitement without getting completely out of hand. ‘The God Who Walked the Earth’ starts with cosmic whooshes and solar winds creating quite a lonesome feel. An acoustic guitar lead mixes with shuffling percussion then a real bass roller coaster of a sequence breaks through, really letting rip. A classic Kirkwood lead line completes a perfect combination as it triumphantly soars to the Heavens. Another fantastic track. ‘The Universe Has a Shadow’ begins as if it is in some satanic mine with clanging percussion and sonic twitters. The sequence this time is bright and rapid as if shafts of light are streaming through the very rock. Yet more scintillating leads create a feeling of euphoria. The sense of excitement is increased still further with forceful drums to which the sequences seem to respond. A second lead now comes in, unbelievably even better than the fist as we hurtle forward in a sort of berserk bloodlust. There is constant movement, even the odd medieval interlude but overall this is wonderfully powerful mayhem! For ‘The Desolation of Truth’ we have to move to the second disc as it’s inclusion on the first would have just taken us beyond the permitted running time. It’s all rather spooky. Moody windy drones, cosmic pads and faint organ all go together to form a serene but also melancholy number. The feeling of sadness is added to still further with solo cello. Just before the half way mark stuttering drums seem to herald the arrival of some divine presence. A tinkling sequence then starts up, as if in challenge to the prevailing dark. More pulsations are added plus sampled text, then things really do start to go ape with more wonderful sequences and mellotron. This would be so good live! Which unfortunately will never happen :-( DL
This page is part of a frame set. If you can't see the information strip to the left of the screen then click on the smd logo above.