When a River Meets The Sea, from Michigan-based April in The Orange, is a cassette containing celestial drones and reflective folk songs. Sloow Tapes from Belgium put this one out and it aligns nicely with their other releases. Also, the artwork is stellar. Sloow has some of the best artwork in the tape scene.
Throughout this c40, the listener becomes ensconced in the heady drones and folk nugget reveries. The arsenal for this tape is heavy: Andrew Barrett on acoustic/electric guitars, mandolin, wrench chimes and vocals; Samantha Linn on acoustic guitar and vocals; Michael Collino on violin. The playing and songwriting of Linn and Barrett is strong. Linn's vocals on the title track, B2, are very impressive - soothing and reflective. There are some beautiful moments on this cassette, such as the interplay of acoustic and electric guitar on B1 - things get pretty heavy and the tension propels the listener to the zenith.
Throughout this c40, the listener becomes ensconced in the heady drones and folk nugget reveries. The arsenal for this tape is heavy: Andrew Barrett on acoustic/electric guitars, mandolin, wrench chimes and vocals; Samantha Linn on acoustic guitar and vocals; Michael Collino on violin. The playing and songwriting of Linn and Barrett is strong. Linn's vocals on the title track, B2, are very impressive - soothing and reflective. There are some beautiful moments on this cassette, such as the interplay of acoustic and electric guitar on B1 - things get pretty heavy and the tension propels the listener to the zenith.
According to their website, When a River Meets The Sea is somewhat of a departure. The web site describes the music as something new: "long-drift textured drones interwoven with acoustic melodies sharp and true -- all recorded under the hazy July sun.". The Volcanic Tongue review mentions Roy Harper, the spirit of which is present on When a River Meets The Sea. Aside from this Sloow release, everything else appears to be self-released.
As a listening experience, this is a versatile release: I often find myself taking long walks with this music or sitting in the sun. The experience of listening to this under the sun is stunning - the sun radiates energy, which warms the soul and this music reciprocates, serenading the sun with heartfelt hymns.
Eclipse Records is one of my favorite distros. Ed, the man at Eclipse, is extremely friendly and will ensure that this cassette arrives quickly. Send Ed an email: ed@eclipse-records.com.
