Peals
– Waking Field (Thrill Jockey)
LP/CD/DL
13
May 2013
Formed
in 2012, Baltimore duo Peals is William Cashion of Future Islands and Bruce
Willen from Double Dagger. Their punk
roots have been firmly shelved in an album containing eight tracks of the
highest quality.
Opening track, ‘Floating Leaf’, begins in an Oriental
style of layered strings before closing with a couple of minutes of drone. It’s a quite fascinating beginning to an
album which completely caught me out in its simplicity and beauty. ‘Blue Elvis’ slurs into being with a dubbed
back beat and sumptuous guitar work, again slightly eastern in its roots, very
medative and easy on the ear. It’s
interesting to note that there are no drums or bass guitars on this album which
is maybe a conscious attempt to leave behind their ‘day job’.
The chime effects of ‘Belle Air’ are gorgeous. Played over an artificial breeze and several
sonic sounds. Shimmering and echoing and
constantly endearing, it’s intellectual calm for the drone purest. A repeated chime loop whispering and creeping
around your head.
Moving into
‘Pendelles’ and Cellist Kate Barutha enters the frame and adds something rather
beautiful to the track. Again, very
moving.
‘Tiptoes In The Parlor’ is slightly more upbeat, with
high pitched guitars which almost sing, and, comes in at less than two minutes
long before the gentler feel of ‘Lonestar’.
Moving along slowly with a great hook which stays with you well after
the track has gone (think Twin Peaks with style), and the layers and textures
of the track, although minimal, are cohesive and well placed.
Tracks on the album flow, and the order of their
appearance is a master stroke.
‘Believers’ is near monotone slowly rising towards the end, superbly
avoiding the urge to crash and scream out aloud, instead peaking and then
fading out again. Album closer, ‘Koan 1’
is probably the most complex of the tracks.
Again, a slightly oriental feel, chiming guitars and the return of
Barutha, albeit short-lived.
‘Walking Field’ is a great album, full of surprises
and full of good solid tunes. You could
do a lot worse than give it a listen.
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