AllMusic Review by Paul Simpson [-]
Chalice Hymnal is the first proper full-length from Grails since 2011's remarkable Deep Politics, although a second collection of their exploratory Black Tar Prophecies EP series arrived in between. As with every Grails
album, the group continues to push its sound further, incorporating new
influences, instruments, and production techniques. As clichéd as the
genre name "post-rock" has become, the musical progression of the Grails
catalog embodies the term perfectly, as the band has continually moved
far beyond convention into something truly unique and indefinable. Chalice Hymnal
easily seems like their least "rock" album yet; while they haven't
entirely abandoned blazing psych-rock guitars (just check the sludgy yet
funky "New Prague"), they're certainly less present here, and many of
the guitars that appear are acoustic. There's a much greater presence of
electronics and dark, nearly trip-hop grooves on this album, especially
on "Tough Guy." It almost seems like Chalice Hymnal could be billed as a joint release between Grails and Lilacs & Champagne, the sample-heavy instrumental hip-hop side project formed by Grails members Alex John Hall and Emil Amos. One of L&C's other members, Ash Black Bufflo, contributes percolating synthesizers to the album's second track, "Pelham," suggesting Giorgio Moroder as a possible influence along with soundtrack composers such as Ennio Morricone and Hugo Montenegro.
The acoustic instrumentation throughout the album is lush and
engrossing, with several tracks augmented by majestic string
arrangements courtesy of Timba Harris, and dusky saxophone from Niklas Kraft or Daniel Fisher-Lochhead. Some of the album's pieces are sequels to selections from Grails'
previous album. "Deeper Politics" is, appropriately enough, more tense
than the prior release's title track, and while it seems gray and rainy
at first, its resplendent strings ultimately signal hope for a glorious
rebirth. "Deep Snow II," however, bends Deep Politics'
knotty yet dreamy finale into something significantly more distraught.
In the midst of all of this, the group finds time for a slow jam,
"Rebecca," which buries "In the Air Tonight"-esque drum machine
pulsations with sunset-like guitar wisps and serene synth pads. "The
Moth & the Flame" is even more ethereal, with forests of echo
surrounding smooth fretless bass and saxophone, before David Axelrod-worthy
cavernous drums boom in during the track's second half. All of this
culminates in the ten-minute "After the Funeral," which features perhaps
the most grandiose arrangement of Grails' entire career. Not only is Chalice Hymnal well worth the wait, it makes it even harder to choose which album is the pinnacle of Grails' ever-fascinating discography.
1.
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Chalice Hymnal
04:22
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2.
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Pelham
02:48
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3.
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Empty Chamber
02:32
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4.
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New Prague
04:50
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5.
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Deeper Politics
03:48
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6.
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Tough Guy
03:56
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7.
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Rebecca
03:47
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8.
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Deep Snow II
05:47
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9.
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The Moth & The Flame
04:07
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10.
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Thorns II
03:59
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11.
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After The Funeral
10:18
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Live is a live album by Swiss pianist and composer Nik Bärtsch's band Ronin recorded in Switzerland in 2002 and first released on the Tonus Music label.
The Allmusic
review by Michael G. Nastos called it "compelling, commanding, well
worth a close listen, and a prelude for things to be heard stateside.
This may be a difficult recording to acquire, but worth the search".[2] On All About Jazz Budd Kopman noted "When listening to Live,
it becomes clear that, while the feeling of improvisation, of taking
off, of winging it, is very strong, where it is happening is
frustratingly unclear".
Track listing
All compositions by Nik Bärtsch.
1.
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Modul 14
13:52
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2.
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Modul 17
09:17
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3.
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Modul 11
12:15
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4.
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Modul 16
11:37
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5.
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Modul 8_9
15:49
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6.
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Modul 15
15:09
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credits
released May 1, 2006
Nik Bärtsch: Piano, Fender Rhodes, DX-7
Kaspar Rast: Drums
Björn Meyer: Bass
Andi Pupato: Percussion
Nik Bärtsch: Piano, Fender Rhodes, DX-7
Kaspar Rast: Drums
Björn Meyer: Bass
Andi Pupato: Percussion
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