BEASTS IN THE GARDEN

After making really experimental "Mirror Cave" Spires direction changed totally next year. On the other hand they went little bit back into their old style, but also searched new influences. Before recording this album they had spent time in free jazz community of Chigaco and it really could be heard in this album. Alto saxophone was Taralie ´s first instrument and now she played it first time in Spires album. There were also influences from Terry Riley, Jon Hassell, Albert Ayler & Florian Schneider. Their record company changed again to small UK label Alt.Vinyl. This release came out as vinyl, cassette & digital release. Two years after this release Alt.Vinyl closed it doors.

In two first pieces you can hear Riley´s influences. Both have very Terry-style echoed loop made from sax. In the title song Kathleen starts soon sing very beautifully in the front of the loop and there are also melodies made with flute and cello. Soon there comes also electro manipulated great sounding harmonium. "Schluss" is more flute dominant and has less vocals. These two pieces are the lightest pieces from Spires this far. But direction changes darker into next "Bitchin (for suma)". It has low and middle electro sounds and also some manipulated, really oriental sounding part maybe originally made by sax. Taralie´s has again awesome vocals, that also might be one reason this to be my favorite from the album. Next three tracks reminds most their earlier style. "Portabittaclog" has electro rhythm and sounds in it´s back where Kathleen sing very strongly and both improvises with sax and flute. On the other hand piece reminds much Kathleen´s solo stuff. "White On White" is most experimental piece and closest to previous "Mirror Cave"-album. There you can hear some free jazz in Taralie´s sax. "Promised Land" has again really impressive vocals from Taralie and also very oriental feeling. The last "The Sun" brings album atmosphere back to the brightness and lightness of the begin.

Before start to listen this album again I was thinking to give this only four stars. But after listening I have to admit, this is masterpiece, although still not rise to me in the same level as "This Is Fire" or "Cursed the Traced Birds". Seems this is one of those albums that grows with more listenings. Anyway my criterians to masterpiece fullfill. There is really much variety in this album, going to the new paths in bands music, but still sounding just personally Spires Of the Sunset Rise-music. Really this is recommended to starting album to the beginners! I believe the record company supported this album very little, if any when it came, because it´s so unknown. I found only one review from the internet. Well, I really hope people will find this fabulous album! All the way this is really serene, but not boring album.