Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe

I Declare Nothing

Written by: BV on 26/06/2015 19:25:50

Those with an ear to the ground or a general interest in music will most likely have come to be aware of Anton Newcombe and his affiliated musical endeavors by now. Characterized mostly by his seeming inability to refrain from making music, Newcombe has developed quite the back catalogue over these past 20 years or so. On “I Declare Nothing”, Newcombe partners up with Tess Parks – a relative newcomer to many, but a musical force to be reckoned with nonetheless.

From the opening notes of “Wehmut” it is entirely evident that Newcombe’s touch as an arranger is all over the track. From the droning acoustic guitar over to the curiously layered mellotron leads that occasionally turn up, the soundscape reeks of something that could easily have been a Brian Jonestown Massacre from the mid-90’s or so. And then not really, as Tess Park’s hoarse, quite distinct voice appears and completes the soundscape; making “Wehmut” an alluring garage-drone that sounds a bit like everything you’d expect it to and then some.

“Cocaine Cat” follows much in the same vein, while “Peace Defrost” adds a certain groove to the proceedings that is unbelievably infectious. – Meaning you’ll probably find your head nodding along to the bass lines while paying extra attention to the smaller details of the track like the miniscule, yet defining piece of organ playing that constantly supplements the simplistic but engulfing sounds. The fuzz guitar of “Voyage de L’ame” and the ensuing low-key, almost downer-inducing sounds make up what is definitely a highlight of the album, with the track’s unquestionable allure cementing just that.

It is as if all of these tracks that make up “I Declare Nothing” drift seamlessly into each other, creating a phenomenal sense of coherence without ever becoming predictable. It all sounds and feels so heartwarmingly familiar, so you might think you’ve figured out what’s going on, but if you dare to let your attention drift away for mere seconds, you’re bound to miss some very worth-while elements of the music. Although the album came about as a result of a spontaneous decision to collaborate, the album sounds thoroughly worked out – “I Declare Nothing” is the prime example of a collaborative album done right, and I would be surprised (dare I say disappointed?) if the collaboration wouldn’t give birth to more music as time passes.

8

Download: German Tangerine, Wehmut, Voyage de L’ame, Friendlies
For The Fans Of: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, The Blue Angel Lounge, The Jesus and Mary Chain
Listen: facebook.com

Release date 29.06.2015
A Records


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