Clear Horizon - Clear Horizon
Kranky Records krank062 October 2003
By Russell Garwood
Clear Horizon is a duo comprising Jessica Baliff, who has released three solo albums on Kranky, and David Pearce, the English musician behind Flying Saucer Attack. This debut is the result of two years of trans-Atlantic tape trading, and showcases an unusual mixture of acoustic songs, folk leanings and a good measure of white noise. The music creates a dreamy atmosphere which in many respects reminds me of the early 4AD roster.
The couples cyclic songs revolve around the simple strumming of acoustic guitars, that lull you into a fuzzy state of consciousness, under which fragile, reverb-heavy vocals create atmosphere. A thin veil of synthesizers, drones and feedback, along with the white noise, augments this ethereal, sleep inducing combination. There is an equal share of the performance duties, and both musicians work incredibly well together considering the distance between their hometowns of Toledo and Bristol.
An ongoing project, Clear Horizons next album will be recorded with both members present, and I will be very interested to see how they develop. Clear Horizon is a very good headphones-and-darkness album, which lovers of minimalistic acoustics, subtle electronics and a brooding ambience will appreciate.
Kranky Records krank062 October 2003
By Russell Garwood
Clear Horizon is a duo comprising Jessica Baliff, who has released three solo albums on Kranky, and David Pearce, the English musician behind Flying Saucer Attack. This debut is the result of two years of trans-Atlantic tape trading, and showcases an unusual mixture of acoustic songs, folk leanings and a good measure of white noise. The music creates a dreamy atmosphere which in many respects reminds me of the early 4AD roster.
The couples cyclic songs revolve around the simple strumming of acoustic guitars, that lull you into a fuzzy state of consciousness, under which fragile, reverb-heavy vocals create atmosphere. A thin veil of synthesizers, drones and feedback, along with the white noise, augments this ethereal, sleep inducing combination. There is an equal share of the performance duties, and both musicians work incredibly well together considering the distance between their hometowns of Toledo and Bristol.
An ongoing project, Clear Horizons next album will be recorded with both members present, and I will be very interested to see how they develop. Clear Horizon is a very good headphones-and-darkness album, which lovers of minimalistic acoustics, subtle electronics and a brooding ambience will appreciate.
