"Without a coherent mission statement, neo-classical is a lot of nice music with nothing provoking forward motion."
I think the journalist was maybe struggling for something to tie up his piece with.
Judging by his FB comments earlier, I think Adam Wiltzie was as bemused at this article as everyone else. Seems pretty lightweight and superficial for The Guardian, which is a shame.
Still, interesting to see the genre getting this level of publicity.
First, Neo-Classical is a term that has existed for some time and been applied to music, art, and architecture long, long before Adam Wiltzie was even born. Just stroll around Washington DC for a crash course in Neoclassicism. Let's not bloat this term with unrelated meaning.
Two, people outside the classical scene have a tendency to include pretty much anything that uses an orchestra or instruments typically identified with the orchestra as classical. Under this conception, both Beethoven and the Star Wars score are 'classical'. This is a misnomer and I think explains why someone would try to pin the label 'classical' on A Winged Victory for the Sullen - when, if anything, the music is heavily indebted (I think) to the Romantic period and to contemporary film scores (of which O'Halloran has produced several).
Three, this sentence:
"Without a coherent mission statement, neo-classical is a lot of nice music with nothing provoking forward motion. Perhaps the focus should be less about defining its relationship to the old, more about celebrating the new."
Can someone point me to a scene, now or in the past, with a 'coherent mission statement'? I think journalists get so involved in categories sometimes that they think there is some kind of over-arching intention going on. Is it not possible that Stars of the Lid and Nico Muhly are artists who are working independently to create music they like? And who is obsessed with defining its relationship to the old? The author?
We don't often quote the Bible on here - but it seems salient here:
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 1:9
fujee wrote:Steep Hills of Vicodin Tears is genuinely one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard.
It was worth travelling to see them live just for that one tune. I can remember as the strings built up feeling like I was being lifted out of my seat.
Does NOT disappoint. Achingly gorgeous.
Just noticed Erased Tapes are allowing the 24-bit master to be downloaded at the moment too, if you've purchased the vinyl. Go, go, go!!
Ordered the clear one as well last week! I regularly listen to their first LP, it's gorgeous. And they'll be playing here in October as well, looking forward to that
I found their self released album a little disappointing...Atomos on the other hand is absolutely stunning. I look forwards to delving into this over the next few months.
Can I also say that Erased Tapes have done a superb job with this too. The clear vinyl and the packaging looks gorgeous. I just hope it plays as well as it looks.
Oh and I have a spare Erased Tapes car sticker if anyone needs one
EDIT: can I just add - the record is worth waiting for. Sublime. Did we seriously expect anything less??
