ARTIST: Mountains In The Sky
TITLE: Accipio
LABEL: Trifekta Records
GENRE: Instrumental Rock
BITRATE: 212kbps avg
PLAYTIME: 0h 21m total
RELEASE DATE: 2006-08-28
RIP DATE: 2007-01-03
Track List
----------
1. Pt 1. Wait 4:44
2. Pt 2. Stealing Through 4:58
3. Pt 3. Coalesced 5:38
4. Pt 4. Rupture 4:12
5. Pt 5. Again 1:46
Release Notes:
Ever since the inception of Sky - one of the most successful instrumental groups
of all time - in the 1970's, the heavens have always held a certain fascination
for bands of a similar ilk. Next came Explosions In The Sky, then From The Sky,
and Low in the Sky, while A Silver Mt. Zion called one of their albums Horses In
The Sky, Exploits of Elaine celebrated Happy the Sky, Hammock is Stranded Under
Endless Sky, and Growing believes that The Sky's Run into the Sea. Continuing
this trend is Australia-based John Lee with his self-proclaimed
'psychexotic-beatronica' outfit Mountains In The Sky. As you might surmise from
the name of the genre, "Mountains In The Sky" is not just another Mountain Men
Anonymous/EITS crossover tribute band. The new single Accipio (latin for
'learn,' in case you were wondering) certainly represents some of the most
refreshingly different music I've heard in quite a while.
The concept behind Accipio is that there are five tracks, each representing a
different part of a single song which lasts for over 21 minutes. The pedantic
side in me would like to suggest that by definition, a five-track, 20-odd minute
release is more accurately termed an EP, but we'll let that notion slide for the
time being. Right from the outset, it is patently clear that Mountains In The
Sky's music is, well, just a little unusual. The first track, "Wait" commences
with what seems to be a man humming, a childrens' choir, a harp. and a brass
instrument, merged in an unholy alliance reminiscent of The Beta Band at their
zaniest. Presumably one of Mountains In The SkyLemon Jelly; this is most
noticeable in "Stealing Through," with the fusion of electro beats and piano
being joined by guitar and indecipherable female vocals. There is even a
distinct Add N To (X) feel about fourth track "Rupture," with drums and bass
rising to the forefront, accompanied by some rather frenzied yelling.
Having listened to Accipio, it soon becomes apparent - quite unexpectedly - just
how appropriate this 'psychexotic-beatronica' label is for Mountains In The Sky.
Even in the course of the five tracks - which all merge seamlessly and could
easily represent, as intended, five parts of the same song - a variety of crazy
styles are successfully employed. It wouldn't surprise me if John Lee had spent
an inordinate amount of time listening to the likes of The Chemical Brothers and
The Propellerheads in addition to more obvious influences such as Lemon Jelly,
all the while taking notes and gaining inspiration. Whatever the case, he's
certainly given the music a new slant. If you're after a bit of electronica with
a twist, Accipio may be just the EP - sorry, SINGLE! - for you; it will be
interesting to see if Mountains In The Sky's subsequent releases can reach the
giddy heights of eccentricity that this one does.