-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
ARTIST..: Bamboo
ALBUM...: The Dragon Flies Away
GENRE...: Alternative
STYLE...: Indie, Synth-pop, Electronic, Fusion, Ambient
YEAR....: 2017
LABEL...: Upset The Rhythm
ENCODER..: FLAC 1.3.1 -8 -V TRACKS..: 8
BITRATE..: 761 kbps avg SOURCE..: CD
QUALITY..: 44.1kHz/Stereo SIZE....: 199.17 MB
URL..: http://www.bamboosongs.co.uk/about.html
- TRACKLIST
* Act I *
1 Hannya 4:41
2 Always Running 5:44
3 Thinking Of You 6:13
4 ...I'll Never See You Again 1:22
* Act II *
5 Like A Sparrow 4:05
6 Wake Up Your Heart 4:35
7 The Brain In The Heart 3:23
8 The Dragon Flies Away 4:53
Total Playtime: 34:56
Bamboo features members of Trash Kit and Peepholes, but this is no
side-project: their music is fully-formed, highly creative and, in the case
of The Dragon Flies Away, rather theatrical. The Dragon Flies Away was
originally released in 2016 as a limited run of cassette tapes through
Crumbcabin, but the album has now been promoted to CD and vinyl status on
Upset The Rhythm.
*
The second full-length by London-based art-pop duo Bamboo is loosely based on
a story about a demonic Hannya mask originating from Japanese Noh theater.
These types of masks appear to be menacing and scary, but also frightened and
vulnerable, depending on how one views them. Bamboo's music expresses a
similar range of emotions, but it isn't really dark or evil-sounding; it's
lush, colorful, and energetic, filled with vivid synths and acoustic
instruments ranging from marimbas to flutes. While Bamboo's 2015 debut,
Prince Pansori Priestess, had sort of an electro-folk sound, The Dragon Flies
Away is significantly more dance-friendly. House and post-disco elements
inform the group's sound more than before, putting the group in league with
indie dance groups such as Holy Balm and Peaking Lights. Rachel Norwood's
gently dramatic vocals recall the best of Annie Lennox and Kate Bush, as well
as 2010s avant-pop artists like Julia Holter. The music fits nicely in with
the 2010s vogue for '80s Japanese music and anything that can be described as
"fourth world," but it doesn't sound like a bid to appear as trendy. They're
obviously genuinely fascinated by the culture and folk tales of Japan and
Korea, and they do a laudable job at weaving these inspirations with their
Western influences. The album's most exciting tracks perhaps inevitably end
up being the uptempo ones. The group sound at home mixing pulsating dance
rhythms with heartfelt sentiments, particularly on standouts such as
"Thinking of You," which has bright percussive patterns along with airy synth
melodies. Even at the group's most propulsive and busy, the instrumentation
still sounds delicate and considered, not aggressive or overbearing. Slower
numbers such as "Like a Sparrow" are cloudier yet still graceful and
determined. The album concludes with its more introspective title track,
during which Norwood confesses her lack of trust in herself. Poignant and
captivating, The Dragon Flies Away is a step forward for Bamboo, and a fine
listen.
-=- SHGZ -=-
P.S.
** Thanks ***
*** BCC FNT IPC SSR ***
*** For Knowing Where The Music Is At ***
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* NuHS we miss you! *
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