A Horse of a Different Colour
The Esoteric Camel | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 07/11/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Don't let the cover fool you.
It is not what you think it is, no matter what it is you are thinking.
This is the box set including the original LP "All The Pretty Little Horses," and the two flanking EPs "Where The Long Shadows Fall" and "The Starres Are Marching Sadly Home." The LP included, "All the Pretty Little Horses," was my introduction to Current 93. Perhaps I am biased because it was my first, but even after hearing his other full-lengths this one is still my favourite.
The trio of Tibet, Stapleton, and Cashmore are back. They are arguably the most popular incarnation of Current 93, and are collectively responsible for some of their most accessible music. They are further supplemented by a whole roaster of guest. Among them are Jhonn Balance, Shirley Collins, and Nick Cave.
This time around the music seems to revolve around the theme of innocence and childhood, and how scary these can be. The music and lyrics are deceptively simple, unfolding and revealing more with each listen. Tibet's lyrics evoke the poetry of William Blake, in all its spiritual simplicity and ecstasy. This is especially noticeable in songs like "The Blood Bells Chime" and the cover song "All the Pretty Little Horses." The latter being a traditional lulluby, translated by C93 into a disturbing dream. Cashmore's elegant finger-picking is present throughout, as is Stapleton's sonic smoke and mirrors. The highlight of their combined efforts being in my humble opinion "The Frolic," which is based on a Thomas Ligotti story. The song starts simply enough with Tibet sleepily relating hallucinations over Cashmore's soothing guitar riff. The song builds in intensity as Stapleton's electronic Wizardry steadily comes to the fore and Tibet's intonation becomes more frantic. All to very unsettling effect.
Also included are the rare EP's that, along with the aforementioned "All the Pretty Little Horses," complete the "Inmost Light Trilogy."
Three albums that refer to each other thematically and sonically. The first EP "Where the Long shadows Fall" features a sample of Alessandro Moreschi, from the only known recording of the last known Castrato in the world. It is actually the first track of "All the Pretty Little Horses"
expanded into a 20 minute epic. The last EP "The Starres are Marching Sadly Home" summarizes the themes found in the last two albums into a murky "Musique Concrete" style soundscape. This is obviously among David Tibet's most personal work. Terrifying in its beauty, and cathartic in its theme and execution."
My Favorite C93 album.
CRAZOTOLOGY | Joplin, MO. (USA) | 03/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Somewhere between Folk and Goth lies Current 93. I love this album! Nick Cave and many other talented artist contribute to this weird, dark, and original album that is garanteed to please anybody who is well cultured in experimental music. A must have for fans of Sol Invictus, Death In June, The Legendary Pink Dots, Coil, Nick Cave, Sopor Aeternus And The Ensemble Of Shadows, and Ulver."
Track Listings (1) - Disc #1