Exposé print issues (1993-2011)
Spoke of Shadows — Spoke of Shadows
(Firepool Records FR005, 2014, CD)
A collaborative project led by two Texas musicians, drummer Bill Bachman and Warr guitarist Mark Cook, its genesis following the completion of the latest Herd of Instinct album Conjure, a band in which Cook is a key member. Cook’s goal was to produce a sound that was more moody and dynamic than HoI, and being a multi-instrumentalist, he began layering parts for Warr, 8-string bass and various other instruments on some compositional ideas he had come up with. Bachman began working with Cook, and the project began to evolve, eventually bringing in numerous guests, track depending, including Gayle Ellett of Djam Karet on Mellotron and Fender Rhodes, Bob Fisher of HoI on flute, and additional players covering guitar, piano, fretless bass and Warr guitar, many participating in the compositions also. In general the twelve instrumental pieces here are following more melodic and diverse directions within an overall rock idiom, even approaching symphonic at times, although part of that may be attributable to the seamless involvement of so many guests in the compositions and arrangements throughout. That said, there are still plenty of hard and edgy moments that punctuate and propel the sound at various points, producing contrast and fire that benefits the overall program, and keeps it interesting from beginning to end. While some comparisons with Herd of Instinct are inevitable, Spoke of Shadows is an integrated effort to bring in new ideas, expand outward into new directions, and evoke new feelings. And on those points, this release is an imminent success. Time will tell if this collaboration continues and produces more inspired material from the same well of ideas. We can certainly hope so.
by Peter Thelen, Published 2014-03-24
by Henry Schneider, Published 2014-07-01
Filed under: New releases, 2014 releases
Related artist(s): Gayle Ellett, Spoke of Shadows
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