Austere - Remittance
Reviewed by Dodds Wiley for Ambient.us Webzine
The shadowy duo from Portland, Oregon known as Austere have released a fantastic new album. Known for very high quality abstract ambient music, this is one of their best. The fact that it is based on guitar generated sounds, which is unusual for them, makes it all the more exciting.
Beautifully done, the textures and moods range from shimmering, droning beauty to forlorn, moody melancholy.
The overall impression of this album is that of a fever dream or hallucination. There is a feeling of remembrance, of an individual examining past memories. It's very moving, and the occasional use of brief vocal samples imparts just the right touch. There are moments of great emotion and intensity in these well crafted beatless soundscapes.
Austere has constructed a magnificent work that is rich and vibrant. Get your hands on this cd right away, it's destined to become a classic! Check out the many fine works of Austere at http://www.austere.org.
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Austere
A Biography
By Bill Binkleman
Wind & Wire magazine
http://www.windandwire.com
Austere is an enigmatic duo who record some of the more interesting ambient music I've heard in my six plus years of reviewing. From the swirling drones (I was gonna say "dark" drones, but...) and eerie melancholy of Monodia to the warmth and beauty amidst minimalism of Fade to the cool glitch beats and samples of one of Austere's side project's The Mystifying Oracle's Quintessence (see my review here: http://www.windandwire.com/may/quintessence.htm)
Austere are less concerned with following the path and more concerned with breaking new ground. However, they are undoubtedly enigmatic, as one would glean from the above, and shun the spotlights of media and personality. However, in my many communiques with them, I have found few artists in this industry who are more polite, engaging, genuine or friendly. If only some of the more "exposed" artists in ambient music were as humble and humane.
Check them out at http://www.austere.org and read more reviews of their work by yours truly here at http://www.windandwire.com.
There, now you and others know as much about Austere as anyone!
Bill
Check out the artist's website:
http://austere.orgTrack List:
1. Shokai
2. Crimson
3. Shiv
4. La Capella Reservado
5. Prana
6. Bloombalm
7. Morninglory
8. Sunset
Suggested CDs:
Other Genres:
