Apologies for the delay in posts, I have had a mad few months which have sapped my time and enthusiasm for all things music. However, slowly its coming back. Anyway onto the exceptional Misophone which comprises of two guys - M.A.Welsh & S.Herbert and hail from sunny Carlisle. A duo with a massive output - in the 4 years of their existence they have produced 12 albums. They have never played live and I get the impression that perhaps they do not wish to. 3d of Massive Attack likes them too. Their 10th Album "Where has it gone all the beautiful music of our grandparents ? It died with them that's where it went..." should have been released yesterday through the label Kning disk. And good luck to them !
The title of their album could not be more apt. Just a handful of the influences I hear in various tracks are George Formby, Klezmer, Sparks, Tom Waits, Tim Burton and Old Fashioned Fairground music all awash with a beautiful soundscape of effects, hushed surreal vocals & lyrics alongside complimentary noises. It's like listening to fantastic music in black & white that is so beautiful that it appears to be in colour !
They were generous enough to send me some tracks that best represent their music. My favourites of these were I Sleep Like the Dead which reminds me of sweet Romany music and some dance hall music of a bygone era heard through a dream, Nothing Down There but Trees a Steam Powered fairground attraction with a tale that seems like some sort of fable accompanying it and finally probably my favourite The White Waves which for some reason reminds me of a horse ride on a sunny summers afternoon. Which is funny because that is something I have never done.
These guys have a truly original approach to their musical endeavours and are a complete pleasure to listen to. I cannot recommend them enough to anyone that wants to treat their ears to something new...
Misophone at Myspace
