27.08.2009 - GAUNT STORY - This Gaunt Story
After a first listen, the overwhelming thoughts that I had fell upon the immersing flow of the whole album - track to track; beat to beat; soul to soul; thought to thought; lyric to lyric. This Gaunt Story is a woven gem, full of cascading rhythms, treasured lyrics, intensity found within simplicity, tranquility sprung from melancholy, and captivating soundscaping.
Within the opening tracks of the album, Rob Ashworth's vocal styling calls to mind attributes that are wonderfully similar to those of Brian Wilson. As the album continues from one captivating song to the next, there is a feeling reminiscent of what could have appeared on The Beach Boys seminal albums Smile and Pet Sounds - two albums that have had a huge influence on my life. The use of the casually interrupted beats, melodic harmonies and uncommon, structured sounds, create harmonic and intriguing rhythms.
Please describe the words you want to hear....But as we gaze up to the sky.
Coming in at a mere forty seconds, the solo acoustic guitar in the opener 'Underneath A Country Sky ' folds beautifully into xylophone sounds and textured guitar of 'The Lights In This Town Are Faded before the rest of the instruments become a part of the scene. It's a meditative introduction of a soulful collection.
The lush sounds encased throughout the track 'Run Along Now ' and stunning caress of 'Fumbling On The Seams' carve out their own niche in the beginning of the album. The intertwined layers of music accompanied by Rob's voice create visions of iridescent foliage, oceanic waves rolling along the shore, meandering amongst sea-worn boulders. Inanimate objects showing their souls, alongside the lyrical output.
Please tell me your thoughts on this love of mine...while I cry inside. Please tell me your thoughts on this brain of mine...while I die inside.
'Shoreline Honors' brings to the forefront and introduces Karl Francis' impact behind the kit. The counter timing of the percussive efforts alongside the stunning guitar work creates a treasure of all parts coming together as one in a flurry of swoons and dances within your head until arriving at a tranquil end.
The calm and subtle beginning of Start To Love is thrown aback as the lyric Be true to myself now is followed and overwhelmed by waves of sound, tumbling over each other, only to bring the number to a close. That moment becomes fused with the song 'You Left Boundaries' , which calls upon a similarity to Oranges and Lemons era XTC in song and in voice. It's a saucy little number with a general pop sensibility engrained within the beat of the music.
The longest track, coming in at close to seven minutes, 'Hold Trails and Leaves ', pulls the previous ten songs together. Coming to life through an acoustic patterned field, the song meandering into ethereal grassland for a pause before falling back onto the path where the journey began. It comes to a close before expected, causing myself to create a repeat performance through my player in order to experience its beauty once again. It's another stunning number, on an alluring collection of songs.
Soiled Hearts brings isThis Gaunt Story to an unfortunate close. Not that the song is a poor effort to close, but on the contrary actually, as it leaves the listener entranced within the experience the album has provided, wishing for future endeavors so that the journey may continue. The embattled soul encased within the lyrics does not come across as depressing or overbearing. It's an intensely heartfelt creation by all those involved and one that will speak to the listener even after the final curtain has been drawn.
david kinsey
August 2009
