NIGHT LOOPS

I have to say I am totally mesmerized by this album. It's called "Night Loops" and when compared to the previous album "All My Friends" it really does have a much darker vibe to it as the record's title would suggest. I just can't get over the details and ideas here though. Listening to this with headphones on is such a treat with the absolute multitude of various sounds all working together and at other times the feeling of being right there at night somewhere down in the South, it's just one of those albums that transports me to another place. And the story-telling is beyond reproach, so meaningful and well done. While most will point to "All My Friends" as their favourite, for me it's not even close, "Night Loops" is probably the best Folk-styled album I have ever heard.

"Ten Fingers" is one of those tracks where we hear the sounds of the night. It opens with breaking glass, mosquitos and other nature sounds along with percussion and more. Chaotic sounds continue as the almost spoken vocals join in. Love the bass 3 minutes in. Now he's singing and it's still a soundscape full of chaotic sounds until a calm arrives before 4 1/2 minutes. Vocals return as themes are repeated. Amazing track. "Bethlehem Watcher" features the nature sounds from the previous track but it all will disappear as synth-like sounds beat and vocals take over. A change before 2 minutes as a heavier, deeper sound comes in along with deeper vocals. Violin comes in after the vocals stop. Catchy stuff with so much going on. Vocals are back after 3 minutes and I really like the way this ends. "Tiny Sonographic Heart" really made me smile as they actually record someone blowing into a blade of grass like my cousin used to do when i was a kid. What a strange sound that makes. Dark piano lines and more help out, what an interesting piece.

"Come Back Tomorrow" opens with laughter then guitar as vocals join in. A very Folk-like track with cool lyrics. Some beautiful violin in this one as well along with plenty of interesting sounds. "How The Light Is Approached" opens with cymbals and more as these fast paced and repetitive vocal lines kick in. So good! Bass horns and other sounds come and go. Love the vocal arrangements in this one. "Familiar 1: Night Heron Over Harrison Square" is an excellent experimental piece with bass clarinet and other horns and more helping out. "Fixture" opens with percussion, horns, bass and more as reserved vocals arrive after a minute. An eerie vibe to this one comes in after the vocals stop. water sounds, percussion and some inventive violin also join in. Vocals are back after 3 1/2 minutes.

"Furnace" is just over a minute in length and it feels like i'm in the middle of a bomb exploding and it's all in slow motion as the atmosphere hums loudly as whispered words and other experimental sounds are repeated over and over. So freaking cool. "Salt Moon" opens with violin and more and it turns fuller quite quickly with so much going on. A calm arrives then it builds again. Birds are singing oddly enough then back to the violin led section to end it. "Down Below" could be a single as it's a real toe-tapper. Again the lyrics are so meaningful and I like the vocal melodies late. "As Long As The Earth Lasts" is another song that is catchy yet innovative and complex with so much going on. I'm just blown away and my head is spinning with the instrumental work here. It seems to get slightly louder as it goes as the interesting vocal lines continue. The vocals stop 3 1/2 minutes in as a bass horn leads with that complex beat. Violin then takes the spotlight in place of the bass horn. Atmosphere, horns and strings end it.

"Familiar 2: Barred Owl" features atmosphere and a dog howling as bass clarinet and other horns help out. This is all so good. "Rehearsing The Long Walk Home" I must admit reminded me of Steven Wilson and the way he likes to end his albums with a beautiful melancholic track. Man this one is sad. There is a real Western movie feel to this one as solemn vocals join in quickly. There's so much atmosphere after 2 1/2 minutes when the vocals stop. Gulp. Vocals are back a minute later. Whistling before 5 minutes takes over after the vocals have stopped again and this continues to the end.

I really do not like giving out 5 star ratings but my experience with this album not only deserves it but it demands it. If there was ever a recording that had that cinema affect on me this is it. Thankyou Damon and the rest of JACK O' THE CLOCK.