Greg Fenton reviews Gareth Davis & Scanner – Songlines – Moving Furniture Records
When one door closes, another door opens. It’s the feeling of freedom that welcomes you into this seemingly infinite exercise in notation that is so liberating, not bound to any specific predefined structure other than a communication of electrical impulses and seismic instrumentation. A world to get lost in and rediscover.
Driven not by softness or delicacy, but by a strong, solid ambience that surrounds you with thoughts of language and imaginary scenarios unfolding as the music plays. This reflects the intense intimacy and excellence sound can attain when it is provocative and sincere. Structures Of Statements begins with a journey lasting seventeen captivating minutes, gradually shifting into a series of gentler pulses, while contrasting emotions suggest wonder and light emerging from the darkness. Like the sun breaking over the morning horizon.
Figurative Language feels more intense without the filtered optimism but remains deliriously powerful, full of a world of expressionist poise and signature drama. Two preview versions follow, with ‘Structure Of Statements’, offering the previous light and shade in short form, containing the ember of a strained whisper haunting through the veil of hypnotic arpeggios. Songlines then departs, leaving the blistering drones and found sounds of Figurative Language’s preview to encapsulate darkening tomorrows in its wake.
Exit stage left.
Download/Stream on Bandcamp
Gareth Davis
Scanner
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