DOWSING ANEMONE WITH COPPER TONGUE

This album was my second experience of Kayo Dot. I started out with the debut, and I liked it very much. So I went on to listen to the second album, which started out promising. Then it all went wrong...

A description of the music: "Gemini Becoming the Tripod" is a dark way to start the album. Mostly an ambient song, it contains the occasional breath of life. The strongest track on the album, and definitely a winner for fans of ambience. "Immortelle and Paper Caravelle" is a slow track that borders on easy listening. It contains some pretty catchy melodies and lyrics. "Aura On An Asylum Wall" starts off really dark, but then becomes a pretty jazzy song. A catchy song and quite the enjoyable listen.

If the rest were like the start, it'd be a 4 star album. But we're left with an 18 minute and a 14 minute song, both of which really peaked my curiosity when I saw the lengths. The 18 minute song is "___ On Limpid Form". It starts out very promising with quiet and very beautiful sounding vocals. Then, about 5 minutes in, we reach a breakdown section. So, you'll be waiting for this to pickup and get back into the brilliant song you've heard before.... but no, it doesn't. This carries on for the final 13 minutes of the song. 13 minutes of absolutely useless "music" and extreme pretentiousness. This is sort of like what you'll find in King Crimson's "Moonchild," but I find Moonchild is enjoyable if you just sit down and relax to it, but this is just unenjoyable. This has got to be the worst epic-length song I've ever heard! So after that snoozefest was over, I was excited for the next song which I expected would be a large improvement and great end to the album. "Amaranth the Peddler" is the final track, and barely better then the one before it. It starts out with a pretty cool intro, and the rest is just...boring. More pretentiousness and self-indulgence.

PROS:

The first half: The first half is pretty slow, avant music that is very enjoyable. If the entire album were like this, it'd receive a much higher rating from me. Unfortunately, it isn't.

Vocals: Toby Driver is a very talented singer, and he doesn't disappoint on this album. He can sound beautiful, and can create suspenseful moments.

CONS:

The last two songs: These two "epics" are some of the worst excuses for epics I've ever heard. Just chock full of self-indulgence that is unbearable to listen to.

Quietness: If you don't like constant quieter music, stay away from this album altogether. You will not like what you'll find.

Song ratings:

Gemini Becoming The Tripod: 7/10 Immortelle and Paper Caravelle: 6/10 Aura On An Asylum Wall: 6.5/10 ___ On Limpid Form: 0/10 Amaranth The Peddler: 0.5/10

Recommended for: Patient people.

My rating: 2 stars. Since the first 3 are okay, it doesn't get 1 star.

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