The Knells - The Knells (2013)

"[The Knells'] lyrics ponder cosmic conditions and cycles — time, space, dissolution, regeneration — and they are sung by three women, often in cascading counterpoint that can invoke Renaissance polyphony or Minimalism. The songs aren't verse-chorus-verse; they sweep ahead, through passages of tolling solo electric guitar, of elegiac vocal melodies and harmonies, of note-bending quasi-Indian strings and guitar, of progressive-rock processionals. The classical training and female harmonies can make the Knells similar to Dirty Projectors, but this band looks toward Europe and tone poems rather than Africa and pop. Instead of hooks there are sustained dramatic arcs, meticulous and serpentine." ~ The New York Times

"Finally, an album that Gentle Giant and Sufjan Stevens fans can agree to love: The eponymous debut concept LP by the Knells… mixes its myriad impulses and resources in glorious manner, with three angelic voices floating in harmony over a string-adorned backbeat." ~ Time Out New York

"What happens when you mix up a high-octane rock rhythm section with a string quartet and medieval-ish vocal polyphony? The answer is The Knells, a Brooklyn band that won't get much airplay with a new CD that refuses to fit into any station's format. I'm not sure how to label their music, but they call themselves a "post rock, neo-psychedelic chamber prog band." Their debut album is a must for those seeking untamed new musical hybrids." ~ The Daily Beast



Track List:
1. Airlift. 6:17
2. Thread. 3:21
3. Fray. 4:56
4. Dying in Waves. 4:20
5. Distance. 7:13
6. Syncromesh. 6:20
7. Seethe. 6:51
8. Dissolve. 6:20
9. Spiral Proem. 3:06
10. Spiral Knells. 10:01

Recorded, edited, mixed, and produced by Andrew McKenna Lee at Still Sound Audio, Brooklyn, NY
Mastered by Joe Lambert Mastering

- Nina Berman / soprano
- Amanda Gregory / mezzo-soprano
- Katya Powder / alto
- Paul Orbell / guitar
- Andrew McKenna Lee / guitar
- Michael McCurdy / drums
- Joseph Higgins / bass

with special guests the MIVOS String Quartet:
- Olivia De Prato / violin
- Joshua Modney / violin
- Victor Lowrie / viola
- Isabel Castellvi and Mariel Roberts / cello

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