Salem: 1976 - Wounded Birds of a Feather
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To anyone who is unaware of Salem: 1976, and, judging by the obscure style of his music, that's probably a bunch of people, the mere name promises some seriously dark and deep musical shenanigans. It does not disappoint. If there is a music that can be pleasantly unsettling, desperately submissive and blissfully depressing, well, this is it. And it's right in my soft spot.
Kristopher Bernard, who is the man responsible for all of this, was born in Salem, the year 1976. It was also the year and place of the death of his father. Should you wish to find a symbolic significance in this, please consider the tragic yet beautiful symmetry of the cycle of life and the longing to connect with the spirits of those who are gone. "Wounded Birds of a Feather" is his second full length album but do not expect a collection of songs or even musical pieces. No, the work is a compilation of experiences, expressed with the use of sounds. ("Isn't all music just that?" - you might ask. Yes it is but here, there is an unquestionable intent for it to be nothing but that).
So you begin to listen and form the first piece the man begins to mess with your head. Yell At Me Father begins to draw you in with it's low frequency drone and ominous, heavily distorted voice over and it seems that shit's going to hit the fan any time soon. When for minutes it doesn't and you realise this is more than just an intro, you become frustrated that your idea of what an album should be like is challenged. This is good. The next piece is also going to tease you a little. A Backdoor to Heaven makes several attempts at a beginning before blossoming into a sonically complex, possibly nature inspired progression, lead by a tribal like drum beat. It will make you nod and sway to the rhythm. It's Not My Fault may surprise you with serene, major melodies. Perhaps you will listen to it on your iPod while picking flowers in a grassy meadow in a forest on a gloomy, foggy day. And so on. I could keep generating similes for every one of the 13 songs but that would be just pointless because I'm sure you'll come up with your own when listening to the album. Which you totally should do, like right away because did I mention it's awesome?
Every piece is full of seemingly tangible auditory substances, flawlessly combined to generate a perfect noise to melody ratio. It is delicious, but it is a dish best served after midnight and if you're dining alone. It is a thing of rare beauty. Enjoy.
Tracklist:
01.Yell At Me FAther
02. A Backdoor to Heaven
03. It's Not My Fault
04. Tomorrow Hides itslef in Yesterday's Shadows
05. Theme From a Hollow Promise Pt.2 (I Cast You Out)
06. Cougar Brown
07. Goodbye Mary Jane
08. All is Not Gold
09. Salem Reverie
10. You're Still Heree
11. Benthic Beats
12. Her Carcinogenic Smile
13. The Amniotic Sea (Origin of life Pt.13)
Kristopher Bernard, who is the man responsible for all of this, was born in Salem, the year 1976. It was also the year and place of the death of his father. Should you wish to find a symbolic significance in this, please consider the tragic yet beautiful symmetry of the cycle of life and the longing to connect with the spirits of those who are gone. "Wounded Birds of a Feather" is his second full length album but do not expect a collection of songs or even musical pieces. No, the work is a compilation of experiences, expressed with the use of sounds. ("Isn't all music just that?" - you might ask. Yes it is but here, there is an unquestionable intent for it to be nothing but that).
So you begin to listen and form the first piece the man begins to mess with your head. Yell At Me Father begins to draw you in with it's low frequency drone and ominous, heavily distorted voice over and it seems that shit's going to hit the fan any time soon. When for minutes it doesn't and you realise this is more than just an intro, you become frustrated that your idea of what an album should be like is challenged. This is good. The next piece is also going to tease you a little. A Backdoor to Heaven makes several attempts at a beginning before blossoming into a sonically complex, possibly nature inspired progression, lead by a tribal like drum beat. It will make you nod and sway to the rhythm. It's Not My Fault may surprise you with serene, major melodies. Perhaps you will listen to it on your iPod while picking flowers in a grassy meadow in a forest on a gloomy, foggy day. And so on. I could keep generating similes for every one of the 13 songs but that would be just pointless because I'm sure you'll come up with your own when listening to the album. Which you totally should do, like right away because did I mention it's awesome?
Every piece is full of seemingly tangible auditory substances, flawlessly combined to generate a perfect noise to melody ratio. It is delicious, but it is a dish best served after midnight and if you're dining alone. It is a thing of rare beauty. Enjoy.
Tracklist:
01.Yell At Me FAther
02. A Backdoor to Heaven
03. It's Not My Fault
04. Tomorrow Hides itslef in Yesterday's Shadows
05. Theme From a Hollow Promise Pt.2 (I Cast You Out)
06. Cougar Brown
07. Goodbye Mary Jane
08. All is Not Gold
09. Salem Reverie
10. You're Still Heree
11. Benthic Beats
12. Her Carcinogenic Smile
13. The Amniotic Sea (Origin of life Pt.13)
