The album triumphantly builds towards several peaks of symphonic brilliance. Attention to detail, well developed ideas, and formidable instrumentation are all very much to the fore.
“Crystal Lane” soars majestically, and “Missing Movie” simmers intoxicatingly before exploding within a crescendo of crashing yet controlled guitar. Meanwhile “Dead Horse Walking” creates a whole range of powerfully evocative musical scenes.
It opens with “A Dusty Book, A City Of Lights”. A gentle acoustic introduction gives way to driving guitar and an early taste of symphonic drama. “Black” arrives as if being filmed from a distance before gradually enticing you into its maze of many sonic diversions.
“Slow Compensation” is an exquisitely constructed piece with additional vocals from Sabrina Sciacca seductively intertwined within violin. Meanwhile “Playing With Planes” adds an exquisite splash of brass.
“Hot Afternoon In The Bulls Square”, the single from the album, drives its way into your mind, whilst slowly building in intensity. When they add the highly effective free form jazz horns they create an effect that is like walking blindfold through rush hour traffic.
It is little wonder that Hidden Shoal Recordings have been likened to 4AD. Bringing expansive music of this quality, from a band who can give devoted attention to detail one moment whilst contriving together to create free form cinematic rock the next, has to be applauded.
Clearly this is a band that has as much focus as HC-B himself.
Soundcheck For A Missing Movie is available in both CD and MP3 format.
Please visit the Hidden Shoal website for further information. Meanwhile the band can be found on their Myspace profile.
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