Some – none
A deep and delicate dive into the psyche of an unusual duo, British-born
ex-pat North Carolinian guitarist Dan Melchior & Icelandic-born
Hanover-based experimentalist Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson. Each quite
unique on their own accord, but in combination bring a sound reminiscent
of some odd combination of church music, the Deep South, some kind of
swampy bluegrass, the Phantom of the Opera — really it’s hard to
pinpoint where they might go. But through the whispering murmurs, the
twang and fleeting harmonica is a true exploration of darkened corners.
It’s as if they’ve awoken the ghosts of the old Gentry, and put them on
someone’s front stoop to haunt the neighborhood.
Titles such as Blind Curtains & Curious Eyes and More Exclusive
Dramatic Moments show a completely wry side to a sound that meanders in
the furthermost corners. On the first of these the duo sets off an alarm
of sorts that blisters through a somewhat unsettled, dusty setting. The
unfixed feel of ‘anything could happen’ breeds excitement. Between
whispers in retreat and an inebriated drone lies open space and
tormented quietude. The moodiness shifts from the hushed hallows to
mock-rock with scintillating guitar fuzz spilled all over Wino Ryder
Forever. Those apey voices amid the taunting funky bottom end are, well,
everything. This one is spooked.
If you crossed The Residents with a lil’ Earl Scruggs and maybe just a
pinch of Sunn O))) you might be in the next field over if you reversed
it and played it back. Cod War Kids is mesmerizing, each and every
moment, and More Exclusive Dramatic Moments is the record’s most
elusive, in that it sounds more like its eavesdropping than trying to
entertain. It’s ambient, it’s ominous, and so half-mast sleepy. Sooner
Will Be Coming Soon (I Have Never Been Calm Or Misunderstood) only hints
gently at a Phillip Glass soundtrack passage, it must be those
burrowing horns. There’s this dreamlike sense of post-war, a lingering
sense of dread fading.
As we are up to the finale, This Is The Scene Where Siggy And Dan
Receive Their Prophecies From The Witches, the listener may lean to
imagine how this tale ends. Barely audible walkie-talkie like
transmissions, crickets and a wavering drone make for a pitched chamber
misplaced in the woods. The atmosphere writhes in near silence for a
while, and fades into the end. This record will create a flustered sense
of wonder for those who dare. And, my dears, this will certainly end up
on the top of my heap for 2019.
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