Allusions to "Discrete Music" by Brian Eno abound on AND
THEIR REFINEMENT OF THE DECLINE, but Stars of the Lid
gives Ambient Music nuances that even its initiator did not
fathom. Their double CD provides a range of music seemingly
performed in slow motion - a constraint that did not prevent the
composers from capturing many moods. Some pieces are chilly
in their blankness, while others cling to the ears and speak to
the heart. The sound of chamber instruments usually comes
through, but SotL uses their distinct musical sensibility to
re-arrange, even mutate these sounds into an interesting
composite atmosphere. Chords play and progress toward a
resolution, but sometimes they get lost and float to the forefront
over and over again. Long unhurried melodies emerge out of a
soft aura of harmony. There's even a deconstructed pop song,
somewhat identifiable at the beginning, which states its theme
then drags itself down to a near standstill. SoTL are fascinated
with the inner life of tones. This work's looming ambiance is
derived from an array of expressive shades of sound. Their
music deals with a dimension of sculptural depth - a place
where words are unnecessary and sound tells the story.

Tune in to STAR'S END this weekend for music from AND THEIR REFINEMENT OF THE
DECLINE, the long-awaited CD by Stars of the Lid

For more on AND THEIR REFINEMENT OF THE DECLINE,
please access: http://www.kranky.net

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STAR'S END broadcasts every Saturday night/Sunday morning
from 1am-6am (EDST) on:

88.5fm WXPN Philadelphia, PA
88.1fm WXPH Harrisburg, PA
90.5fm Worton/Baltimore, MD
104.9fm Allentown, PA

and live on the web...

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Chuck van Zyl
Host of STAR'S END Ambient Radio
http://www.starsend.org