Arve Henriksen – Strjon

If you don’t like trumpets, then avoid. Having said that, if you like things a little off the beaten track then I’d recommend this; despite the odd jazzy moment…

If you don’t like trumpets, then avoid. Having said that, if you like things a little off the beaten track then I’d recommend this; despite the odd jazzy moment…

 

Arve Henriksen – Strjon

http://www.runegrammofon.com/ http://www.arvehenriksen.no/

 

If you don’t like trumpets, then avoid. Having said that, if you like things a little off the beaten track then I’d recommend this; despite the odd jazzy moment (mostly provided by the LP’s duffest track, Green Water) it’s a strange, sad release enlivened by some truly out-there moments. Evocation is a noise; albeit one that captures a sense of wild open spaces. Black Mountain is an incredible listen; trumpets, keyboards guitars and bow all combine to create a Cluster-style sound-scape that is never less than compelling. Ancient and Accepted Rite also continues this Cluster feel. This record really does have the feeling of a soundtrack to a 1970s psi-fi film at times…

 

There are fair helpings of dolorous, meandering keyboards (listen to such as Leaf and Rock, Alpine Pyramid for proof) but, apart from Green Water it’s never really boring, just abstract and understated. Strjon is a very scary, unearthly piece that somehow manages to capture a cold inhospitable landscape in sound in barely under a minute, whereas the seven minute Glacier Descent is a beautiful floating piece that sounds a little like early Kraftwerk (maybe it’s that flute), before succumbing to a the beautiful vocal incantations.

 

A very interesting, and sometimes rewarding listen.

 

Words: Richard Foster.