The Stars Of The Lid are a Texan duo; their double CD The Tired Sounds of… is two hours of the most subtle drones that makes rich listening pleasure - but also is of particular interest to those of us who are medically exhausted by whatever cause. It could almost be a chronic fatigue syndrome commission. This music is like medicine. I have been playing it constantly since I discovered it in Amsterdam and it's amazingly gentle lullaby music - sourced, by the sound of it from string instruments and delicate field recordings.
The Tired sounds of… contains music that seems to grow from nothing, and if you paid listening attention at any particular point, there would be little more than a slow string loop present, but it's the sum of it's parts that effects. You notice after one of the "movements" on the CD that you've been somewhere, but it's when it's on its way out, or after the piece has played, that you feel the benefit. It's very 'centering' music this. It's emotional without being emotionally sapping.
Forget those relaxation compilations, or so-called chill out or ambient CDs. They are marketed by those who, well, forgive them Lord for they know not what they do. This avoids the clichés and it's right back to the source. >> Read more about the band, stream full-length tracks or download mp3s from the fabulous epitonic site. Also short samples of all tracks and reviews from Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk.
Comments