Constellations by Balmorhea
LABEL: Western Vinyl

Constellations by Austin's Balmorhea is a gorgeous example of sophistication, restraint and focus. It's almost impossible to define this group to its influences as pianos, acoustic guitars, strings, banjos, and sometimes what sounds like three linebackers jumping on a hide-a-bed couch, swim through each other, as though the group is only taking one breathtaking visual as their reference point. The result is powerful, beautiful, and original in its execution.

Each song feels like a sonic set-dressing for some blue-washed introspective film that never existed. The tonality has resemblances to Philip Glass and Claude Debussey, but with a much more intimate and distinctly American flavor. The production is marvelous and perfect, including enough chair creaks, instrument taps and outside ambiance to lure any listener into Balmorhea's carefully constructed sonic parlor. Songs follow a distinct flow and movement, never leaping too far off into the realm of the avant-garde to deter any listener yearning for good melodies and a dynamic world to lose themselves in without feeling lost.

“There currently seems to be a strong trend in taking more traditional instruments and pushing them into more contemporary areas, and Balmorhea have finely honed themselves to be leaders.”

Though there are certainly moments that seem to conjure up Godspeed You! Black Emperor's mellower side, Constellations is unconcerned with the payoff climax, and it may annoy some listeners that the songs seem content staying at a somber level. Actually, this proves to be the great strength of the album, though its unwillingness to push in other directions reigns in its impact a little short of greatness. Most of the tracks on the album are comparatively short which keeps the album feeling tight and carefully focused, but you can't help wondering where else each moment might have gone as the album drifts to the next piece.

There currently seems to be a strong trend in taking more traditional instruments and pushing them into more contemporary areas, and Balmorhea have finely honed themselves to be leaders. Constellations eschews the soft-loud dynamic that is beginning to dog most 'post' music in favor of more compelling and visual territory, and as such, have created an album you can practically wrap yourself up in and lose time.


REVIEWED BY NEIL LEVENS
NEIL’S FAVORITE TRACKS: “Bowsprit” • “Winter Circle” • “Steerage and the Lamp”


Preview & purchase album from eMusic (subscribe and get 45 FREE downloads)
Preview & purchase album from Other Music