-=- SHGZ -=-
* Shoegaze * Indie * Post-Rock * Grunge * Dream Pop * Psych-Rock * Ethereal *
ARTIST..: Joe Volk
ALBUM...: Happeningsandkillings
GENRE...: Indie
STYLE...: Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Acoustic, Folk Rock,
YEAR....: 2016
LABEL...: Glitterhouse
COUNTRY.: Switzerland
PLACE...: Bern
BORN,,..: Bristol, City of Bristol, United Kingdom
ENCODER.: FLAC 1.3.1 -8 -V
BITRATE.: 712 kbps avg
QUALITY.: 44.1kHz / 2 channels
SOURCE..: CD
TRACKS..: 9
SIZE....: 215.97 MB
URL..: http://joevolk.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/JoeVolkMusic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Volk
http://www.musikreviews.de/reviews/2016/Joe-Volk/Happenings-And-Killings
- TRACKLIST
1 Bampfylde Moore Carew 5:33
2 Soliloquy 3:12
3 The Walker 4:40
4 These Feathers Count 4:56
5 Sirens 5:00
6 The Thief Of Ideals 4:42
7 Is Pyramid 4:57
8 The Curve 4:29
9 Yellow Sneak 4:51
Total Playtime: 42:20
NOTICE: The way the album title on the cover is written is misleading.
Officially it is not connected words without spaces according to the label
and artist's website. Most other online sources also list it as separate
words excluding the holy discogs (well ok, musicbrainz in this case also).
https://mailorder.glitterhouse.com/album/3/singer-songwriter,-folk--country/1105081/happenings-and-killings.html (Label Store)
https://joevolk.co.uk/discography (Artist website)
https://joevolk.bandcamp.com/album/happenings-and-killings
https://www.ean-search.org/?q=4+030433+785621 (Even though this links to a store that writes it without spaces)
https://www.roughtrade.com/en-gb/product/joe-volk/happenings-and-killings
https://www.amazon.com/Happenings-Killings-JOE-VOLK/dp/B018KT4YU4
https://www.recordshopx.com/artist/volk_joe/happenings_and_killings
https://www.normanrecords.com/records/156906-joe-volk-happenings-and-killings
https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/joe-volk/happenings-and-killings
The discogs entry is INCORRECT in my opinion. I'm mentioning this as I find
that lately, there is too much weight put on discogs entries as the GOTO for
correct release information. Entries that are allowed to be added/edited by
any and everyone who so wish(es) to. But that discogs information can
override label/artist information means something is getting a bit too
imbalanced.
Do I not use discogs myself? Sure I do. Discogs is absolutely helpful. But as
1 of many sources. As can be seen by the the links posted above it sometimes
takes extra effort and research to find out more exact information about a
release. And the user that entered this album on discogs seems to not have
done the extra research according to the sparseness of the submission
information. (The discogs title itself even had to be corrected later by someone
for for having been misspellt.)
Also, the "as on the cover" guideline can also have it's obvious flaws. There
is a whole process before the release of a recording and it can be a very
grey area why a title or artist name is printed on the cover they way it is.
Covers are also art and often artistic liberty is taken on a cover vs. the
actual original artist/label information.
Anyway, since the guidelines are as they are and most often not allowing for
online information to support tagging decisions (I will admit there have been
exceptions), and, in this instance as not ALL online sources add up, I'm not
going to chance it and will tag this "as on the cover"; even though I
absolutely do not agree with it. Hopefully in the future, something will be
appended to the guidelines that will allow more freedom as long as there is
clear online label/artist proof/information to back it up.
Here is an example of cover art that deviates from the official title, but
has a correct discogs entry.
https://www.discogs.com/master/1510511-Le-SuperHomard-Meadow-Lane-Park
"Thanks for reading"
*
+++ Reviews in English, German & Dutch +++
*
SOUNDS LIKE: Many of the best aspects of the 70s, contained within a
singer-songwriter record.
WHY YOUÆLL LOVE IT: At first, Joe VolkÆs new solo LP, Happenings and
Killings, appears to be a sweeping singer songwriter record. On the opening
moments of ôBampfylde Moore Carew,ö a lovely melody radiates from an acoustic
guitar, percussion enters, and then VolkÆs breathy voice hooks you in. It
doesnÆt take long to realize that this is much much more than that. For
example, one of my favorite tracks on the record, ôThese Feathers Count,ö
somewhat resembles early 70s Pink Floyd with a little krautrock thrown in.
At the heart of the songs is VolkÆs acoustic guitar and emotive vocals. At
times, Volk sounds a bit like Jeff Buckley at his most calming and pretty.
The songs are subtly expansive, with spacey synths, celestial backing vocals,
occasional bass and piano. Immaculately crafted alongside Emmy-nominated
composer Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow (Portishead, BEAK>), Happenings and
Killings maintains an airy quality throughout. ThereÆs never an excess of
instrumentation. The songs are able to breath, all the while expanding and
contracting. ItÆs an impressive feat.
While the songs may vary stylistically, they flow seamlessly throughout.
Happenings and Killings is an album in which every single moment seems to
feed upon the others, working as a whole rather than disjointed parts. VolkÆs
undoubtedly the mastermind, but the contributions from Salisbury and Barrow
are significant and noticeable, so anyone who loves their work should find
plenty of like within Happenings and Killings.
All in all, if not a complete masterpiece, Happenings and Killings is
undoubtedly a thing of beauty.
*
As a member of Crippled Black Phoenix (up to 2013 anyway) and Gonga, itÆs
fair to say that Joe Volk knows a thing or two about big riffs, and prog
structures. As if that werenÆt enough, heÆs also worked with Japanese
experimentalists Boris and provided music for the Banksy documentary Exit
Through The Gift Shop.
Despite currently being a resident of Switzerland, VolkÆs ties to Bristol are
strong, and considering heÆs put out something like 13 releases on Invada,
itÆs no surprise to find Geoff Barrow and Adrian Utley (Portishead) worked
closely with Volk on this album. In fact, heÆs aided and abetted by a number
of luminaries that include Billy Fuller (BEAK>), Guy Metcalfe and Leafcutter
John. Although there are a number of nods to the prog persuasion of Crippled
Black Phoenix, it is perhaps Leafcutter JohnÆs mix of folk and electronica
that the key influence on Happenings And Killings, as this low-key and
surprisingly quiet album is, for the most part, rather subdued. Whilst there
are a number of producers and additional musicians helping Volk out, this is
very much a solo album in sound; thereÆs nothing here that sounds like a
collaboration.
A song such as Sirens, for example sound as if theyÆve been recorded at dusk,
in front of a log fire thatÆs heating the only room of a log cabin located in
the darkness at the edge of town. ThereÆs not much to the song, just a
strummed acoustic guitar, a daubing of incredibly subtle electronic
flavouring, and his voice. ItÆs his vocals that really gets a hold, his way
with a harmonised part and laid back drawling style might seem almost too
lazy for its own good to begin with (and indeed, too low in the mix at
times), but on Sirens it achieves and aching beauty thatÆs impossible to
ignore.
This is an album that seeks to marry electronics to folk, but the early
delicate guitars and skittering drums of opening track Bampfylde Moore Carew
do little to push the envelope, which is not to say that the song itself
isnÆt effective, it is but the mix is so subtle that itÆs only in the closing
few moments that the electronic tones start to exert an influence. As the
album progresses the electronics take more of a lead, particularly on the
oppressive thunder of The Curve, which pits the delicate nature of the guitar
against an aggressive electro part. These Feathers Count sticks out like a
sore thumb at the heart of the album, in that it doesnÆt sound like anything
else that surrounds it. It kicks off like an expansive Pink Floyd number (a
Wish You Were Here out-take from a parallel universe) before breaking into a
math rock inspired riff propelled by an insistent beat. ItÆs the catchiest
moment on the album by far, but not necessarily the best.
Time spent with the album reveals subtle and sublime touches that are worth
discovering through perseverance and immersion. The Thief Of Ideals hints at
the Beach Boys circa Pet Sounds whilst throwing a little Jethro Tull into the
mix. The entwining of guitar and electronics on the elegant Soliloquy is
pitch perfect, and VolkÆs voice here in particular is understated, but
utterly beautiful. Closing track Yellow Sneak comes screaming into life like
a THX sound display, before stripping everything back to just guitar and
voice, and slowly introducing a strings and woodwind part. Once again, as
with everything on this album, subtlety is key, and VolkÆs vocal feels as if
itÆs being whispered into your ears, as he plays out what sounds like a
painful blame game in quite beautiful fashion. ThereÆs very little on
Happenings And Killings that will grab anyone on the first listen. Yet with a
little patience, it unfurls and reveals hidden depths, and they are well
worth exploring.
*
Joe Volk is a solo artist from Bristol, England now based in Bern,
Switzerland. He was one of the first musicians signed to Invada records,
headed by Portishead's Geoff Barrow, and has had over 13 releases on the
label. Joe Volk was the original singer and lyricist in the band Crippled
Black Phoenix, and was signed to Domino Publishing with Justin Greaves as
sole songwriters of the band. After six studio albums, one live album and
several EP's, Volk left the group to focus his energy on his solo material.
He was also the original singer and lyricist with hard rock band Gonga, one
of the first bands signed to Invada. On the new album, Volk worked closely
with the Emmy nominated composer Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow (the
songwriting partnership behind the soundtrack to Alex Garland's 2015 film 'Ex
Machina'), with both being credited as additional producers along with Volk.
The album was mixed by Joe Volk and Jim Barr (Portishead / Get The Blessing),
as well as the musician and artist Leafcutter John.The album features the
three producers, along with Jim Barr, Billy Fuller (Robert Plant, BEAK>),
Adrian Utley (Portishead), Mark Ophidian (US / Animals With Machinery), Guy
Metcalfe (Thought Forms), Leafcutter John, Luke Harney (Typesun) and a
collection of other musicians, all active in the Bristol music scene. The
spectrum of the album is broad, ranging from low-fi acoustic pieces featuring
subtle analogue electronics from Ophidian and instrumentation from Salisbury,
to more realised tracks, layered with Volks harmonies and intricate guitar
work with backing from Fuller and Barrow, who constitute the rhythm section
of the band Beak>. There is a track featuring a full orchestral score by Ben
Salisbury, played by the Bristol Ensemble Orchestra, with a haunting
accompaniment by Volk on acoustic guitar and voice, and then, again in
contrast, there are tracks at 120 BMP with programmed drums, bass, analogue
synths, electric guitars, samples and electronics, with Volk pushing his
voice to new extremes for his solo work. This is an album with a broad scope
of sounds, styles and influences, yet it manages to translate into a cohesive
body of work. The common thread running throughout is the instantly
recognisable guitar playing and voice of Volk, which is uniquely complemented
by the different musicianship that is bought to each track from the wide
array of artists from different genres that he worked with. After leaving
Crippled Black Phoenix in 2013, Volk teamed up with the experimental Japanese
band Boris to release a split 12" EP. Volk wrote, recorded and produced his
tracks, and the EP was released to widespread critical acclaim. He toured the
UK and Europe with Boris, and since this tour, he has been completing work on
his new album in Switzerland. Volk is also a composer, having written scores
for independent European and British short films. He has had his material
used by the BBC, HBO and had commissions from National Geographic. Volk
contributed music to the Academy Award nominated documentary on Bristol
street artist Banksy, entitled "Exit Through The Gift Shop".
* -DE- *
Auf seinem Solo-Debⁿt als Songwriter in eigener Angelegenheit nach dem
Ausscheiden von seiner ehemaligen Band Crippled Black Phoenix prΣsentiert
sich der zur Zeit in der Schweiz lebende Joe Volk aus Bristol nicht etwa als
weiterer Run-Of-The-Mill-Songwriter-Folkie, sondern nutzt seine Erfahrungen
als Band-Musiker, Filmkomponist und Liedermacher dafⁿr, zusammen mit den
Produzenten Ben Salisbury und seinem alten Freund und F÷rderer Geoff Barrow
von Portishead (der auch Musiker aus dem Portishead-Umfeld organisierte), auf
"Happenings And Killings" eine ganz eigene KlangΣsthetik und AtmosphΣre zu
erzeugen. Der Trick lag dabei scheinbar darin, die prinzipiell
lament÷s/melancholischen Balladen Volks behutsam mit Effekten, elektronischen
Bestandteilen und Loops, Samples, Orchester-Sprengseln sowie den kunstvoll
gestaffelten Vocals Volks zu einer Art songwriterischem Gesamtkunstwerk
zusammenzuschwei▀en, das weit ⁿber klassisches Storytelling auf Folkbasis
hinausgeht.
*
An Konkurrenz zu seinem ehemaligen Chef Justin Greaves ist gar nicht zu
denken bei Joe Volks zweitem Soloalbum. Seine sanften SelbstgesprΣche drehen
sich um nichts au▀er sich selbst û das aber mit Bravour.
Dabei bedient sich Volk stilistisch nur halb am akustischen Debⁿt ôDerwent
Waters Saintö (2007). Mit Unterstⁿtzung von Adrian Utley und Geoff Barrow von
Portishead entstand ôHappenings And Killingsö ⁿber vier Jahre hinweg unter
anderem in Bristol und seiner Wahlheimat Bern. Eine lange Zeit, fiel doch
sein Name das letzte Mal wΣhrend der Abmusterung beim Progrock-Zerst÷rer
Crippled Black Phoenix und der damit verbundenen EP ôNo Sadness Or Farewellö.
Man trennte sich nicht im Guten û wer kann das schon mit Greaves? û und nun,
da Volk nicht mehr unter dessen Flagge segeln muss, macht er das einzig
richtige. Er setzt sich nicht in einem Beiboot ab, sondern fliegt mit dem
Wind ⁿber die offene See davon und lΣsst im Vorbeiflattern diesen
ausgeklⁿgelten Folk fallen, der sich bei Unaufmerksamkeit schnell
verflⁿchtigt, aber doch so viel mehr zu bieten hat als eine luftige Stimme zu
arpeggierten Akkorden. Die Rede ist nicht nur von der exzellenten Single
ôSoliloquyö; vor allem in der zweiten HΣlfte knarzt es unter den Planken der
Songs, und wer nicht genau auf seine Schritte achtet, verpasst einiges. Etwa
Barrows Elektro-Einsprengsel im windschiefen ôThe Curveö. Oder ôIs Pyramidö,
dessen wahre Gr÷▀e im Nebel verborgen bleiben wird fⁿr solche, die nicht
bereit sind, sich hinein zu wagen. Es wΣre schade, denn was bleibt, ist ein
Album, das sich mit jedem Durchgang verdichtet, bis man die Ohren gar nicht
mehr abwenden kann.
*
Die sⁿdenglische Stadt Bristol kennt man weniger als Herkunftsort von ruhiger
und intimer Musik. Obwohl viele Bands ihren Ursprung in dem Ort fanden, denkt
man dabei eher an tiefe und laute BΣsse, heftige Riffs und mitreissende
SynthwΣnde. Joe Volk schiebt nun all dies beiseite und prΣsentiert mit seinem
neusten Album eine Abkehr seiner eigenen Vergangenheit und eine Schatztruhe
aus leisen T÷nen und Besinnung. Und erreicht trotzdem eine wuchtige Wirkung.
Joe Volk spielte frⁿher bei Crippled Black Phoenix Gitarre und kennt somit
die Welt des wilden Art-Rock, hat sich nun aber etwas beruhigt und lebt in
Bern in der Schweiz. Fⁿr sein Soloalbum äHappeningsAndKillingsô buchte er
Studios in seiner Wahlheimat und weiteren StΣdten, um dort den Folk und das
Singer-Songwritertum neu zu definieren. Versponnene Lieder nahm der Musiker
auf, ein Album wie eine Schatzkiste voller versteckter Diamanten und sanft
glitzernden Schmuckstⁿcken. Dazwischen liegen FΣden, die man entwirren und
neu spinnen kann. Seien es verzweigte Gitarrenmelodien, brummende Basslinien
oder Keyboardflecken û das Album startet so tief wie ruhig. Joe Volk bleibt
mit seiner Musik immer wundersch÷n und erinnert dabei gerne an Gr÷ssen wie
Sufjan Stevens. Obwohl die Songs leise und zahm erscheinen, bieten sie
unzΣhlige Spuren voller Instrumente und Harmonien, man spⁿrt die wuchtige
Vergangenheit des Musikers. Genial vermischt er diverse Genres und weiss
seine KlΣnge ohne grosses Aufsehen auf neue Ebenen zu transportieren.
Elektronik mischt sich in den Folk, SynthflΣchen und Sprachsamples erobern
äIs Pyramidô, ein Orkan steigt auf. Keiner konnte es ahnen, aber genau so
schnell wird alles wieder gemΣchlicher.
Genial zaubert Joe Volk hier experimentellen Singer-Songwriter hervor, lΣsst
Musik voller Emotion aufblⁿhen und die Zurⁿckhaltung grossartig aussehen.
äHappeningsAndKillingsô besitzt sehr viel Grazie und steckt voller
bewundernswerter Musik. Man will das Werk alleine h÷ren und seine innersten
Geheimnisse nach aussen kehren û gleichzeitig aber jede Sekunde und jeden Ton
mit den liebsten und besten Menschen auf der Welt teilen. Sofort. Laut.
Immer. Eine Meisterleistung fⁿr die introvertierte Masse.
*
LP mit Klappcover. Ein Album, gemischt mit den Mitteln intensiver Reduktion,
gebraut mit Ingredienzien akustischer Psychedelik. Als Songschreiber und
Gitarrist geh÷rte er von 2006 bis 2013 zu den Artrockern Crippled Black
Phoenix. Sein Debⁿtwerk ist im Kern ein Songwriteralbum, ein Panoptikum
emotional tiefgreifender Experimente sachter, schwellender, nie
ⁿberfrachteter KlΣnge. Meist reichen Gitarrenspiel und Altstimme aus, um das
feingliedrige Wirken von stimmungsvollen Synthies, Sprach-Samples,
Streichern, E-Gitarrendrones und vereinzelten Schlagzeugpattern (auch
moderner-repetitiv) in ein warmes Becken einladenden, tranceartigen
Farbenspiels zu ⁿbersetzen. Es gastieren Billy Fuller (Beak), Geoff Barrow
(Portishead) und Ben Salisbury aus dem Bristol/Invada-Umfeld. Ein
Konzeptalbum, berⁿhrend und modern, autobiografisch und melancholisch, wie
unverstΣrkte Pink Floyd bei "Meddle", Archive, Oceansize, Gravenhurst und
Radiohead. *Glitterhouse
* -NL- *
Nee, Joe Volk is ondanks onze zeer weinig voorkomende achternaam geen familie
van mij, maar hebben we wel allebei Duitse voorouders. Zijn roots liggen in
het Zwarte Woud. Joe werd echter geboren in Bristol, Engeland. Ruim twee jaar
geleden verhuisde hij vanwege zijn liefde voor Miriam Wolf naar Bern,
Zwitserland. Happenings and Killings is mijn eerste kennismaking met de
muziek van Joe. Ook de groep Crippled Black Phoenix waarvan Joe deel
uitmaakte deed geen belletje rinkelen. Een groep die toch al zes studioalbums
op hun conto hadden staan op het moment dat Joe de groep in 2013 verliet.
Wellicht heb ik zonder het weten toch al muziek van hem gehoord, want hij
schrijft ook muziek die gebruikt wordt voor TV-zenders als BBC, HBO en
National Geographic. Hij was de eerste artiest die tekende voor het Invada
Records van PortisheadÆs Geoff Barrow. Barrow speelt mee, maar ook andere
muzikanten uit de muziekscene van Bristol, waaronder Adrian Utley en Ben
Salisbury, vooral laatstgenoemde heeft volgens Joe veel bijgedragen aan het
eindresultaat van de cd. De gebruikelijke werkwijze van Joe is het schrijven
van de songs op gitaar zonder teksten en van daaruit verder bouwen. Daarvoor
had hij de beschikking over een aantal door de wolgeverfde Θn creatieve
muzikanten, hetgeen wel iets bijzonders moest opleveren. Op het album wordt
zowel van akoestische als elektronische instrumenten gebruikgemaakt. De
opvallende titel is ontleend aan de naam van de clubtour van zoÆn tien jaar
geleden. Hij koos die naam toen omdat hij die woorden gewoon lekker bij
elkaar vond klinken, zonder enkele verdere bijbedoeling. Opener Bampfylde
Moore Carew begint met het prachtige, akoestische gitaar en zang van Joe,
waar later het harmonium aan wordt toegevoegd en die dan sfeerbepalend wordt.
Het laatste gedeelte roept bij mij associaties op met In the Court of Crimson
King van King Crimson. Carew was een bekende Engelse bedrieger uit de
zeventiende eeuw. Zijn teksten zijn overigens nogal vaag en vrij moeilijk te
doordrongen. Een van de mooiste liedjes is Sirens. Vrij sober van opbouw. Het
intro is vrij traag op akoestische gitaar, kippenvel levert het invallen van
de mondharmonica op. De samenzang met Nadine Gingell is wonderschoon. Alleen
al deze song rechtvaardigt de aankoop. Maar in iedere song valt genoeg te
genieten, de ene keer overheerst de elektronica een andere keer de
akoestische instrumenten. En zo heeft bijvoorbeeld de afsluiter Yellow Sneak
als bijzondere toevoeging The Bristol Emsemble Orchestra. Happenings and
Killings is een bijzondere luisterervaring gemaakt door een aantal creatieve
geesten. Warm aanbevolen en dat is niet omdat hij toevallig ook Volk heet.
-=- SHGZ -=-
-=-=-==-=-=-
Shoegaze
is a genre of alternative rock that
originated in the late 80s. The genre is very
difficult to define, and it is even more difficult to evaluate music
within it. Generally, the genre is characterized by its
shimmering vocals, reverberating guitars, and
textural distortion that create
a tranquil, opaque
feeling.
---==--==---