HOUSE OF STONE

Morgan Sorne is a relatively young fellow based in Austin, TX whose art defies convenient classification. It is grounded in story and imagery, both of which can only be partially conveyed or imagined via download. In accepting that a review of his music alone is necessarily deficient, I nonetheless believe this to be a work of integrity, the product of one who straddles the only world most of us know, and other worlds far more foreboding. The story of a family - for which the "dysfunctional" adjective doesn't begin to describe the dynamics - is initialized here and continued through multiple "Death" recordings, 5 as of this writing. the music is self contained and distinctive enough that one need not know the particulars of the narrative to appreciate the end product.

Best described as atmospheric and haunting, most sounds here are conveyed by Sorne's versatile voice, accompanied harmonies that may be sampled, and percussion. Most instrumentation was built by Sorne. Comparisons to LARKIN GRIMM, DEAD CAN DANCE, and even some frigid 1980s artists like RUPERT HINE are all valid to a point, and one can't help but think of the neo folk scene if only for the creepiness quotient. I would add that there is something of a liturgical or ritualistic quality to the pieces that has thankfully been achieved without adding a back beat to the chants of some cloistered sect of monks or other. Some pieces are hypnotic and dissonant while others are actually surprisingly accessible, though it's unlikely you will be tapping your toes or even singing along.

My personal favourites are "First Born" with a sinister almost harpsichord like backing and choral effects that build deliberately to a vocal crescendo that sounds delightfully demonic; the entrancing "Silent Fall"; the oddly lilting "Ancient of Days"; the South African sounding "Ohohoh"; the repetitive "Golden death Chant", which isn't quite a dreary as it sounds; and the plaintive title track.

If you are a bit tired of the clones of clones of clones on your neo prog listening pile, and crave something different, even just for the sake of it, step outside and right on into the House of Stone. 3.5 stars rounded up.