ILLINOIS GLOSSOLALIA (WITH MICHAEL ZERANG)

Something seemed to happen in Spires after their great "Beasts In the Garden"-album, because they went quite inactive. Their bandcamp sites says they were in many tours in US, Canada and Europe, but I found only few gigs in US in 2016 & 2017. It´s possible that situation had something to do with Taralie, because that time Kathleen seemed to start very active solo career when Taralie was quiet also in solo stuff. Anyway it was great thing Feeding Tube records released this album, that is also recorded in 2011 at the Experimental Sound Studio in Chicago. This time it seems these recordings were made in different days, not in one as in previous "Kata Physin"-album. Not sure what the album name means, but it can be "cream of the Chicago Illinois -recordings". At least it would make sense.

"Child" is the most aggressive piece from Spires, that I have heard. There are very punky vocals from Kathleen. Although very chaotic, I like the piece also because it´s not too long. In "Tagla" direction changes totally. It´s very beautiful piece with calm vocals from Kathleen and awesome Mbira playing. Title song starts with artistic, effected vocals from the ladies and bird sounding, interesting whistle blowing from Zerang. In the middle comes very chaotic part where´s also voices from the radio. "Meminisse" has quite paranoid feeling, when Taralie´s playing odd cello and singing through tremolo effect. Zerang´s Zither playing is very interesting, he´s got a lots of percussive sounds from that string instrument. Kathleen´s flute is also sounding very strange. Piece is maybe little bit too long with too little changes. "Triangulura" has very scary atmosphere reminding early Spires. There is very aggressive playing of some string instrument that is not mentioned in the album credits. Cello, flute and again effected vocals also create very horror feeling. In the end there is some flute sound sampling.

Although it´s improvisation nature, I found this album much greater as entity than previous "Kata Physin" from the same recording sessions. On the other hand this album hasn´t got any as great epic as "IV" is in that other album, but not also as bad piece as "III". If you´re a fan of interesting improvisation music, this is your album. Otherwise I recommend to listen Spires third and fourth album and also "Beasts In the Garden" to introduce their music.