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Reviews

Stranger Still — The Songs Which Are
(Bandcamp no#, 2023, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2023-05-04

The Songs Which Are Cover art

Toronto musician Pete Johnston is primarily known as a bassist with a long running group called See Through (in Trio and Quartet variations). In Stranger Still, he takes up the guitar and hands over bass duties to Rob Clutton. In addition to acoustic and electric guitar, he plays banjo; both Mim Adams and Randi Helmers sing, and Andrew Killawee contributes some keyboards. Johnston’s compositions for this project are all settings of the poems of Nova Scotia poet Alden Nowlen. While there is a folk-oriented base to many of the tunes which can be likened to Steeleye Span, Mellow Candle, and others, the music has an angular rhythmic quality showing influences from 20th Century chamber music. The two women’s voices are harmonized in a way that calls to mind both British Isles folk music and Renaissance madrigals, with several songs incorporating polyphonic lines. I’m also occasionally reminded of Dirty Projectors, though the absence of drums sets Stranger Still apart. As inventive as the music is, Nowlen’s words are often the star, with gems like “On nights like this I wish I had a friend, or better yet, two, who would make me laugh and laugh with me, who would say something to surprise me occasionally. But only occasionally.” (From “Friends”) The irregular structure of the words is embraced in the melodies, straying far from standard forms, making The Songs Which Are a constantly morphing musical landscape that is never predictable. The mostly-acoustic arrangements lend a lightness to the set, and the occasional touches of electric guitar are exceptionally well utilized. Stranger Still has a fresh and inventive sound that’s a real pleasure to listen to.

Filed under: New releases, 2023 releases

Related artist(s): Stranger Still

More info
http://all-set.bandcamp.com/album/the-songs-which-are

 

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