This is an awkward album. Some of this awkwardness is unconscious and unplanned, the by-product of lo-fi techniques and studio ineptitude. Some is planned and conscious, the product of searching for rifts, of searching for the symbols of the divine that show up in the trash stratum, to misquote Philip K. Dick. Through awkwardness and juxtapositions, glimpses of something else can be seen, a something that is lost in the polished, the tuned, the smooth. Partly because I believe ‘better’ works often come with their own inbuilt responses, by engaging with them they engender a set reaction, so there is simply no room nor stimulus for the listener/reader/viewer’s own interpretation and thoughts. The art has become artifice – merely propaganda or pornography.
By embracing the rifts, the imperfect, the awkward, and the juxtaposition, we turn our backs on works that are apparently perfect reflections, as comforting and numbing as they are, of a reality that doesn’t really exist anyway – it’s again propaganda and pornography. To push further, alongside art, we need other, obsolete modes of thinking, approaches that, well, capitalism has forced out. We need more magic, more religion. Through art, magic, religion, we can push back, think for ourselves and finally see the radical mystery, the Other, the divine behind everything and that makes life, and by extension, us anything but irrelevant.
All that from some static and too much reverb.
credits
released June 25, 2022
Music & Artwork by Andrew Sherwell
Mastering by Stephan Mathieu - Schwebung Mastering
With thanks to Paul SMR and Stephan for keeping the faith and staying in the circle.
Originally released October 8th, 2021 on Shimmering Moods Records.
Beautiful music created with care. The already haunting sounds of the Ondes Martenot with outboard effects to produce something extra special. Like everything on Nahal Recordings, highly recommended. andrew sherwell
Mesmerising album. Densely textured. deeply atmospheric and emotionally gripping. Sounds like a lost classic from the birth of 'acoustic-doom'. So, so good! andrew sherwell
supported by 15 fans who also own “The Book of Trinkets”
A wonderful musical collection that shows the unity of the whole world and the support of Ukraine during the long war, which will undoubtedly end with the victory of Ukraine. And now the terrible numbers... Only according to official data as of today #russiaisaterroriststate killed 510 children in Ukraine, injured another 1141 children, kidnapped 19546 children. There are many more unofficial victims. And russia remains a member of the UN... Desynkro Music
supported by 14 fans who also own “The Book of Trinkets”
Take the shimmering guitars of the Cocteau Twins, dilate and lengthen with the wistfulness of Boards of Canada and release them like one of Robert Rich’s haunting soundscapes with a jazz coda and you have Carlo Giustini's 'Custodi'. It's brilliant. sepulchre19
Multimedia artist Jolanda Moletta creates a gorgeous ambient tribute to her female ancestors solely from her own vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 12, 2022