Erica Burgner (Vocals/Autoharp), Terence Hannum (12 String guitar/vocals/4-track), Kelly (Cello), & Andre (Mandolin/Guitar/Violin)
Influences
His Hero is Gone, Low, One Eyed God Prophecy, The Church, Uranus, Sonic Youth, Movietone, godspeedyoublackemporer!, Fugazi, Drift, Nick Drake, Ire, Jean Ritchie, Califone, Black Sabbath & Leadbelly
Sounds Like
"These are gifted musicians folks …and ones who tell moving stories, providing an escape from the ordinary. There are elements of sadness, intelligence, adventure, and romance in their sound." (Stacy Sardelli, Babble and Beat.com)
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"It's pretty damn cool when a band can test the waters like this and come up with something of their own that sounds nothing like their influences, thus coming across as creative and original without losing its musicality or intrigue in a murk of experimentation." (Aversionline.com)
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"I whole heartedly enjoyed every single aspect of this release. The music swept me off my feet and put me in a trance. The packaging is absolutely breathtaking and accompanies the music perfectly. If you can appreciate good music, no matter the genre tag you should love this because I absolutely connected with it." (Jeff Karbow, SicZine.com)
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"Musically, I can’t help thinking what a welcome addition they would make to the Secret Eye roster, as they would slot easily into your collection alongside other neo-folk-based projects like Black Forest/Black Sea, Urdog, or Larkin Grimm."
(Jeff Penczak, foxydigitalis.com)
Although this record boasts crisp usage of synth/programming by Steven Fredericks, drums from Sean Stevenson and Greg Svitil, and guitars by Joe Merrill and Dave Groves it’s obvious Ars Phoenix is the work of Jonathan D. Glover, who can handle all such instruments and vocals himself. It is quite the triumph, although it does throw up one small problem, as it does for all solo creators, due to the variety, but we’ll touch upon that later.
‘Engines Of Progress’ makes for a seriously impressive opener which shows you we have the usual mixture of Electronic, Industrial and Ambient ingredients here that are used by thousands of sonic chefs nowadays. The difference here, which puts Glover in the top 1%, is having vocals which create an impact, aided by stunningly visual lyrics. There is much disturbance involved, with the music a threshing machine admirably restrained, melodic but bristling, moving from playfully ominous to potentially lethal.
‘The Dry, Cracked, Yearning Earth’ vomits up a clattering rhythm but has gracious vocals that give it a dignified poppy bounce, with ‘Through Nets Of Granite’ thoughtful, piquant and sedate. ‘Modules’ goes for idling electronica I believe we call downbeat these days, enlivened by precise and imaginative layering, and slowly rising. From there we encounter slow, beautiful guitar in ‘December 1983’ and bizarre love lyrics to Saddam from someone who is his secretary? (I’m not sure I get that one.) ‘Sovereign’ then pops some twinkly pomp into a waddling, flattened beast of a tune that ends too quickly.
‘Twigs’ is tugging indie moping, then guitar poking moves ‘The Prodigal’s Theme’ along slickly, a gorgeous romp that cuts off smartly with a neat synth wash and the vocals dominate as it crunches and sways, which is where the problems I mentioned before comes in. A whole album in this vein could be huge. By having
Hey ya'll!! I just wanted to say that the music is sounding great. I really love Jacpbin Waltz! Have a very happy and safe Holiday season and I hope to see you on the 2nd! love and all that!
Wow, I just got back to my office to find the new CD in my mailbox. The packaging alone is beautiful. I can't wait to listen to it and share my thoughts on the actual music. But, hey the visual impact in itself is worth commenting about. :)
Erica sang so powerfully Saturday that she drained all of her goddess energy stores and turned into pac-man in the Hollywood diner and ate 62 pancakes and 350 french fries.
I ran into your parents and Beth randomly at a TGIFridays in Orlando Friday night. Heard about your tumble in NC. Hope you are okay. Get well soon, if you have anything still injured.
Hey yahl,
Thanks for the love: glad you like "Through Nets of Granite." Did I ever tell you that the "Jacobin Waltz" is desperate and beautiful?
Well, it is. And T.J., that reminds me--In lieu of our discussion of Fanon's Wretched of the Earth, you must read C.L.R. James' The Black Jacobins. It documents the Haitian Revolution in a highly dramatic and poetic way.
