Too intensely technical for wedding?

I don't think so...!

Song of the Silent Land - Live Review

Track listing

1. "The Sky Lay Still" – Elizabeth Anka Vajagic (6:22)
2. "Winter Hymn Winter Hymn Winter Hymn" – Do Make Say Think (4:54)
3. "Wool Fever Dub" – Exhaust (3:05)
4. "(Re)View from the Ground" – Hangedup (4:30)
5. "Toyte Goyes in Shineln" – Black Ox Orkestar (3:44)
6. "This Machine" – Sackville (4:57)
7. "Iron Bridge to Thunder Bay" – Silver Mt. Zion (8:12)
8. "String of Lights" – Sofa (5:33)
9. "Dreaming (...Again)" – Polmo Polpo (4:50)
10. "Slippage" – Re: (3:25)
11. "Tres Tres 'Avant' " – Fly Pan Am (5:10)
12. "Fair Warning" – 1-Speed Bike (5:03)
13. "See My Film" – Frankie Sparo (3:57)
14. "Outro [Live in Nantes]" – Godspeed You! Black Emperor (7:33)

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Track 01. It's 4:56pm, Wednesday after a long work day in the Implant Lab - a 7am start. I have the night free from study and I've just opened Arrogant Frog - Syrah Rose. I have been waiting for a time to listen to this album, due to the fact it's been around a while, and of course I love GY!BE (who features on this album - a live (and to me - unheard) final track). This album also features favourites of mine: Do Make Say Think and... of course... A Silver Mount Zion. Everything else is new to me. I am just about to enjoy my first sip at 4:59pm. 

Track 02. I've added cheese, crackers, and quince paste to the mix. Volume to 41, very industrial. Very unappealing ending to the song - too loud for my ears.

Track 05. European Jewish folk music. I can't say I've ever actively listened to such music. 

Track ??. Took off my glasses because my eyes hurt and now I can't see where I am up to on the stereo CD player. It's pretty great though. 
(continued) It's incredibly good, it's worth the pain of lifting up my glasses (and glass) to see what track I am at. (It's Track 07). WELL OF COURSE, it's A Silver Mount Zion (now known just Silver Mount Zion for some reason). Oh.. wait... is it Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra now? Geez... consistency much?

Track 09. Getting side tracked by wanting to watch Devin Townsend live videos. Will resist. (continued) Oh, goodness, this track is very nice. It sparks dreams of getting away somewhere. A little mini-break. I am sipping gin and tonic and bathing in afternoon sun. Like mini-breaks, it doesn't last near as long as it should at only 4:50 minutes.

Track 11. It's 5:46pm and I am feeling very relaxed.

Track 12. I attempted to click skip on this track because there was talking, monologue that mentioned the Taliban the Americans, and warning me of funerals. Bit too intense for me on a Wednesday night. But I persevered. The music itself reminds me of certain friends and evokes attention to old memories of mine. Very NIN.

Track 14. Oh my... Godspeed arrived already? 5:57pm. Vol to 48. Haunting violin welcomes me. Ouch, my heart. I feel like I'm in bittersweet mourning of a life that wasn't mine. It is a joyful sadness. This is very Godspeed. 

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Rating - I don't like ratings. One's mood changes so intensely from day to day, from night to night, that it feels very wrong to pass judgment on something when one's mood so directly influences the listening experience (in my experience, anyway). This album has been successful in providing a relaxing, meditative atmosphere in which to unwind. That being said, if you're after musical and perfection (like what I just heard on Track 14), then I'd say - skip the collection and just listen to Godspeed. 

Nick Cave - Friday 28th November - Fremantle Arts Centre

Oh Nick...

How many times have you healed the aching in my heart... not necessarily by making me feel better... but by making me feel so truthfully in agony. 

See you in November...

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