 |
|
Harris Newman, "Accidents with Nature and Each Other"
This second album from Montreal's Harris Newman has a timeless quality,sounding modern while drawing on the traditions of acoustic guitaristsfrom the past. While he does appear to be a technically accomplishedguitarist, Newman often seems unconcerned with being one hundredpercent rhythmically accurate, such as on the opener "The Butcher'sBlock."Strange Attractors Audio House
This track has a pleasantly loose feel, with Newman lettingquick, fingerpicked phrases and patterns fly from his acoustic guitaras if by stream of consciousness. Newman sounds as if he makes thismusic because he needs to, not because of a need to fit into any genre.It feels as if he is communicating these tunes directly from his headto tape, and this immediacy makes his music refreshingly inviting. Afew tracks seem more thoroughly composed, such as "Cloud City," duringwhich a slower intro section is a prelude to a main body which seesNewman off to the races with rapid-fire melodies. After threeconsecutive tracks involving solo acoustic finger-picking, "It's A Trap(Part One)" comes whirling out of nowhere and sets Accidents With Nature and Each Otherapart from countless solo guitar affairs. Gorgeous, abstract hauntingtones shimmer in and out of focus, sounding like a train travelingalong on a foggy night. Although "A Thousand Stolen Blankets To KeepYou Warm" utilizes old-timey slide guitar playing, Newman also coaxeslong ringing tones out of his instrument during the midsection.Ultimately, small gestures such as this elevate Newman's work abovebeing an exercise in antiquity. Bruce Cawdron's percussion also adds anelement that gives Accidents With Nature and Each Other a broadrange of textures. His ramshackle playing style is a perfect foil forNewman's free-flowing phrases on "Lords & Ladies." The percussiongradually moves from steady tambourine playing to a solid backbeat,before breaking down into free-form chaos, the result is the sound ofWar-era Larry Mullen Jr. being thrown from the drum stool by Animalfrom The Muppets. His shuffling brushwork and melodic glockenspielplaying on closer "Driving All Night With Only My Mind" make this amemorable end to an album that expands the possibilities of theacoustic guitar-based project. While Newman's guitar playing stillcommands the spotlight, the flourishes added throughout the set are atestament to his individuality.
This track has a pleasantly loose feel, with Newman lettingquick, fingerpicked phrases and patterns fly from his acoustic guitaras if by stream of consciousness. Newman sounds as if he makes thismusic because he needs to, not because of a need to fit into any genre.It feels as if he is communicating these tunes directly from his headto tape, and this immediacy makes his music refreshingly inviting. Afew tracks seem more thoroughly composed, such as "Cloud City," duringwhich a slower intro section is a prelude to a main body which seesNewman off to the races with rapid-fire melodies. After threeconsecutive tracks involving solo acoustic finger-picking, "It's A Trap(Part One)" comes whirling out of nowhere and sets Accidents With Nature and Each Otherapart from countless solo guitar affairs. Gorgeous, abstract hauntingtones shimmer in and out of focus, sounding like a train travelingalong on a foggy night. Although "A Thousand Stolen Blankets To KeepYou Warm" utilizes old-timey slide guitar playing, Newman also coaxeslong ringing tones out of his instrument during the midsection.Ultimately, small gestures such as this elevate Newman's work abovebeing an exercise in antiquity. Bruce Cawdron's percussion also adds anelement that gives Accidents With Nature and Each Other a broadrange of textures. His ramshackle playing style is a perfect foil forNewman's free-flowing phrases on "Lords & Ladies." The percussiongradually moves from steady tambourine playing to a solid backbeat,before breaking down into free-form chaos, the result is the sound ofWar-era Larry Mullen Jr. being thrown from the drum stool by Animalfrom The Muppets. His shuffling brushwork and melodic glockenspielplaying on closer "Driving All Night With Only My Mind" make this amemorable end to an album that expands the possibilities of theacoustic guitar-based project. While Newman's guitar playing stillcommands the spotlight, the flourishes added throughout the set are atestament to his individuality. samples:
