Robin Guthrie And Harold Budd - After The Night Falls / Before The Day Breaks
[Darla]

Even in a congested ambient world a collaboration between the pioneering Harold Budd and Mr. Shoegaze himself, Robin Guthrie, is a mouth- watering prospect. Teaming up for the first time since The Cocteau Twins “The Moon and the Melodies” in 1986, these two legends prove beyond doubt that they are kindred spirits.

The fruit of their labours are these eighteen movements spread over two companion discs, “After the Night Falls” and “Before The Day Breas”. This affiliation captures the atmosphere of the world in its most serene states.

Either, just as it is settling into its nocturnal lethargy or in the early hours of the morning, when the sky is nothing more than a blurry red hue. Former Cocteau Twin, Guthrie, layers his trademark celestial guitar work over Budd’s sombre piano arrangements throughout, both elements blend seamlessly aided by the fact that everything is literally soaked in reverb.

Melodies develop in a slow-shifting manner, generating a sense of anticipation using a seemingly endless supply of tremolo guitar tones. Just before the point of frustration, the duo will deliver a subtle chord change that brings about an unrivalled release of tension.

Budd and Guthrie construct a warm blanket of sound for the most part; the listener will take comfort in the soft velvet tones and frothy undercurrents. With each track sounding as if it was recorded somewhere distant, guitars notes cascade like waterfalls, while Budd weaves his tantalizing piano tones around.

These eighteen movements don’t particularly register as single entities. These recordings are intended to be absorbed as a whole. There is a sense of joy on closing number “Turn on the Moon”, for example. The gradually building distortion and live percussion gives an impression of triumph, much like returning home from a long journey and embracing old friends.

But then these recordings are not solely for an exclusive club. Budd and Guthrie have created a body of work that should be accessible to all, much like Vangelis’ “Blade Runner”. An absorbing, if a little daunting, listen from start to finish, the meditative qualities of both recordings are almost slumber-inducing. But that is meant as a compliment. Beautiful.

After Night Falls Track Listing:

1. How Distant Your Heart
2. Avenue of Shapes
3. Seven Thousand Sunny Years
4. She Is My Strength
5. Inside, A Golden Echo
6. Open Book
7. And Then I Turned Away
8. The Girl with the Colourful Thoughts
9. Turn Off the Sun

Before The Day Breaks Track Listing:

1. How Close Your Soul
2. A Formless Path
3. A Minute, A Day, No More
4. She Is My Weakness
5. Outside, Silence
6. Hidden Message
7. I Returned Her Glance
8. My Monochrome Vision
9. Turn on the Moon