a r t i s t : VA
t i t l e : The Joy Of Nature Presents: Agkaanta Asrti Parasamgate
d a t e : 2008
l a b e l : Self Released
c a t : n/a
s o u r c e : CDDA
g e n r e : Folk/Neofolk
r l s. d a t e : Apr/2009
t r a c k s : 21
b i t r a t e : VBRkbps
s i z e : 102,6 MB
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This self-released compilation by Portuguese project The Joy
of Nature comes in a beautiful handmade packaging, featuring a
knitwork sleeve, fishscale flower ornament, and numbered and
dedicated liner notes. Every one of the 100 copies has a
different quote in the liner notes, and the thoughts of the
recipients of the albums on this quote will be published on a
special blog: here. The release itself contains a large number
of tracks, spanning 10 years of composition by Luφs Couto.
There are compilation tracks, side project tracks, and
reworked versions.
What is striking about this release is that despite the
different origins of the tracks, the sound and atmosphere on
the album are quite consistent. I would typify The Joy of
Nature as a kind of relaxed mediterranean neofolk, with an
emphasis on a mystical and dreamy atmosphere. A wide variety
of instruments is used, including guitars, zithers, harps,
piano and other string instruments, synths, percussion, field
recordings, and various types of vocals, mostly whispered and
sung. The result is a very clear and organic sound that should
appeal both to lovers of more conventional neofolk and those
who prefer dreamy, wyrd or even fantasy atmospheres. A couple
of tracks have a slightly more intense or martial tinge to
them, which makes this release a nice change from what I've
heard on the two The Shepherd's Tea releases. At times, when
listening closely, the album feels a bit long or monotonous,
but the atmosphere is constant and quite good, and would be a
perfect soundtrack for reading, or a game.
I haven't been disappointed by this project yet, and I really
recommend picking this up if you are into neofolk. This
handmade release is perhaps not the cheapest, but a lot of
work has been put into it, and you get a unique package that
is well worth it. I'm looking forward to more material!
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01-The Joy Of Nature - Introduτπo Aos Bosques Escuros E [02:27]
Aos Teatros Do Mar
02-The Joy Of Nature - A Theatre Burning In The Night Sky [05:17]
03-The Joy Of Nature - Enquanto O Rio Corre... [04:56]
04-The Joy Of Nature - The Twilight Of The Old King [03:16]
05-The Joy Of Nature - Um Fogo Na NΘvoa [04:11]
06-The Joy Of Nature - Uma Noite De Chuva No Jardim Da [03:15]
Ilha Encantada
07-The Joy Of Nature - Persona [03:58]
08-The Joy Of Nature - The Book Of The Dead [03:18]
09-Post Crash High - The Order Behind And Beyond All [05:08]
Things
10-The Joy Of Nature - Fire Only Rests When There's [05:29]
Nothing Left To Burn
11-The Joy Of Nature vs Aquarelle - Fantasmas E Duendes [04:04]
Costumavam Dormir No Meu Sofß, A Altas Horas Da Noite.
12-The Joy Of Nature vs Aquarelle - O Embalo Das Sereias [01:29]
13-Post Crash High - The World Is Burning, So Let Us [04:43]
Waltz
14-The Joy Of Nature And Discipline - A Lament For This [02:51]
Cursed Age
15-The Joy Of Nature vs Post Crash High - The 'Glorious' [03:39]
Modern Civilization Is Falling
16-The Joy Of Nature And Discipline - Spirals [01:42]
17-The Joy Of Nature vs Aquarelle - Boliana [02:27]
18-The Joy Of Nature vs Aquarelle - Fechando A Caixa Das [03:01]
Mem≤rias
19-The Joy Of Nature - Ecos Que Mostram O Cφrculo [04:04]
20-The Joy Of Nature - Agora Que Sabemos O Que Faltava [01:56]
21-The Joy Of Nature - De Regresso Aos Bosques, A Outros [02:19]
Bosques
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73:30 min