028/100 - "Ghosts Upon The Earth" by Güngör

"Ghosts Upon The Earth" by Güngör follows in a similar vain from "Zion": it is a pleasing, joyful noise filled with themes of Christian spirituality and yet is somehow something more ... a progressive album that crosses multiple genres exceedingly well ... folk and post-rock, in particular, are deftly presented.

What makes this, Güngör's second album, so appealing are the vocal harmonies from Michael and Lisa Gungor. They complement each other and the music brilliantly, taking great sounds and making them even better.

I can't think of another album quite like it ... it has all I want from spiritually-inspired music.

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027/100 - "Zion" by Hillsong United

I don't get on too well with music labelled "Christian". This is due to what I perceive is the lack of creative expression. There is, afterall, a narrow field for an artist to develop their unique voice within.

However, there are a few albums that do manage to stand out, at least as far as to grab my attention. "Zion" by Hillsong United is one such album - their redemption songs are underpinned by wonderfully vibrant and dynamic electronic-infused post-rock soundscapes.

Hillsong United make a pleasing, joyful noise on this album, I always feel uplifted when it comes on.

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026/100 - "Sleeping Tapes" by Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges is one of my favourite artists. He is an accomplished actor and photographer. He also holds a place in my heart with his album "Sleeping Tapes" where he explores spoken word infused ambient music.

Now this idea may make you convulse in horror ... Bridges even hums on one track ... but it isn't as bad as you would think. It actually makes for compelling listening.

Between Bridges’ monologues and the field recordings he intersperses his soundscapes with, I found the presentation to be compelling: I hang on Bridges' every word.

Yes ... "Sleeping Tapes" is weird but that's the point.

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http://www.dreamingwithjeff.com

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025/100 - "Fordlandia" by Jóhann Jóhannsson

"Fordlandia" by Jóhann Jóhannsson is a modern minimalist classical delight that follows seamlessly from "A Winged Victory for the Sullen".

Filled with luscious strings and magical woodwind, haunting choral, atmospheric piano and organ, and subtle electronics; “Fordlandia” delivers in terms of the sound. This sound is underpinned by strong melody and a real focus dynamics, making it fall easily into the soundtrack genre. Whilst based around Henry Ford’s failed rubber plant of the same name, “Fordlandia” isn't a soundtrack but, most definitely, could be.

“Fordlandia” is an exemplary piece from the Icelandic composer, one that displays both poise and balance.

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024/100 - A Winged Victory for the Sullen

One album that comes close to the grandeur of "Stories from Elsewhere" is the self-titled debut from modern classical "supergroup" A Winged Victory for the Sullen.

The music created by Dustin O'Haloran and Adam Wiltzie will take your breath away with its simple understated elegance. Theirs is modern classical music with an emphasis placed firmly on ambience and atmosphere, music inspired by their collective experience: O'Haloran as a soundtrack composer and Wiltzie as musician with exemplary acts such as Stars of the Lid.

“A Winged Victory for the Sullen” is food for the soul, sustenance for a long life.

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023/100 - "Stories from Elsewhere" by Rhian Sheehan

After yesterday's post I was asked to recommend music with a similar feel. I spoke of a few artists before settling on Rhian Sheehan.

Sheehan's music is superb and his most recent release - "Stories from Elsewhere" - is truly magnificent. It has a grandeur that is, quite simply, unsurpassed.

With "Stories from Elsewhere" Sheehan has taken elements of post-rock, modern classical, and electronic music and created a cinematic delight ... an album that brims with ambient atmosphere, euphoric movement and meaningful melody.

I have loved this album since its release in 2013 and have welcomed the timely reminder of its magnificence.



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022/100: "Oblivion Hymns" by Hammock

There is something unmistakable about the majestic sound of Hammock. Their particular style of ambient post-rock is a true delight and "Oblivion Hymns", their most recent release, is truly delightful.

What sets this album apart from its peer group are the vocal elements … the angelic choir on two tracks, such as “Then The Quiet Explosion” … or the last track - “Tres Dominí” - with its haunting vocal, a vocal that sends shivers down my spine each & every time I hear it.

This is an album of exquisite pastoral soundscapes, the kind of beauty that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.



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021/100 - “Earthlight” by Horizon Fire

“Earthlight” by Manchester-based artist Horizon Fire is a Sunday afternoon kind of album, seriously mellow with deliciously warm synths and languid rhythms that lull you into a fuzzy dream state. Think Boards of Canada but without their trademark glitchiness or a slower Ulrich Schnauss and you will get the gist.

If you need an album to help you chill out, this is it: “Earthlight” is a melodic downtempo delight from the start of “Asimov” to final refrain of the title track “Earthlight”. It is rare to find an album with this level of consistency.



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020/100: All We Are

I’m not sure how I stumbled upon All We Are but I am glad I did. Their self-titled album is a wonderfully uplifting sugar rush of sound.

Categorised as “Psychedelic Boogie” on their Facebook page, the trio from Liverpool have an alt. pop, indie disco sound that is utterly captivating and very, very funky … think new wave crossed with 80’s post-disco and you’ll get the gist.

Their track “honey” reminds me of early Prince with a male falsetto that will delight the ears and a guitar that make you move.

All We Are are worth your attention.

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019/100 - "A Day In The Park / For Silencia" by The Soft Ensemble

Moving from "Valtari", we have a 22 minute longform piece, released by Twice Removed, entitled "A Day In The Park / For Silencia" by The Soft Ensemble.

The Soft Ensemble are L.J.Wegrzyn and G.Bojanek who made some music together for a release that never happened, and F.Appel who breathed new life into this music. Together they mixed found-sounds, field recordings and guitars to create an intriguing longform soundsculpture.

Whilst I found the field recordings to be inviting, I really liked it when the acoustic guitar makes its entrance near the end ... it hints of what could be from this collective.



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