ANCIENT PATIENCE WILLS IT AGAIN

In 2012 Spires change their record company from small Hairy Spider Legs-label from Chicago. This time they were duo, Georgia Vallas has left the band. It seemed they filled her part in music with using more loops in the background. Today it seems to be kind of fashion use loops in music, but this band was a pioneer of using those already in 2000`s. I believe one reason to Vallas leaving was others want to go more serene direction in music. Hard to write any introduction about this album, because there is not much information about it. On reason why this band seem to be really unknown that time could be their label. This album came only in vinyl and digital form, so I believe in 2012 review makers still wanted CD-version. I don´t even quite understand what the album tittle means. But on the other hand this mystic around this band has risen my interest! Anyway there came half years later part 2 of this album. I believe they recorded all in same time, but maybe label didn´t want to release double album, so it came in a two parts.

Album starts in 2 really genius pieces: begin of the "Veiled Undertow" is really soft, harmonium, bowed psaltar & fiddle create loop that´t behind the song it´s whole lenght. Soon both Kathleen & Taralie start sing softly.Then tempo rises when comes a kind of chorus, after that song goes back to slow. "Grandma" starts with hits of Mbira, soon Taralie starts to sing in very beautiful, but mystic way. This is absolutely the best song in this album. It reminds a lot P J Harvey´s music in her "White Chalk"-album, that is favorite of mine from her. Song growns slowly from very minimalistic to rich, melodic musical path. "Child Of the Snow" is gentle, very melodic waltz, which music is totally made by cello & spike violin. Again very beautiful vocals from Taralie. "November" is the longest and very gloomy piece. There are sounds like bells, but close listening I noticed it to be piano! Although this song is really sad, it carries it´s whole almost 11 minutes lenght. "Well Tempered" ends album really great way! Harmonium reminds Nico´s work, but 2-part vocals are just some much more awesome than Nico´s! Also croaking toads played by Tarelie creates interesting background.

To "Veiled Undertow", "Grandma" and "Well Tempered" I would give 5 stars. Although rest is also really good, it doesn´t rise totally into same level. Former chaotic elements are almost gone in this album and I think it´s little bit sad. All the way this album is much more serene than their earlier ones, but also little bit flat to me. There are not as much interesting changes as in their early albums. Of course to somebody this may be their first masterpiece. I wonder quite much, why Drag City label never wanted this artist into themselves. There are lots in common with for example japanese folk group Ghost. I believe they would have got more attention to their great music making albums in that label. Anyway this album is again highly recommended to all neo-folk fans!