A Closer Listen
We were immediately intrigued when we read the words “two wine glasses, a stack of paper and some dried peas.” These represent only a sampling of the objects aligned out of time that coalesce in the unique sonic universe of sound artist Manon McCoy and vocalist/composer Alice Brookes.
At times the work recalls that of Ian William Craig in that tendrils of voice weave their way around every obstacle and frequently rise above. Brookes possesses an extraordinary voice that operates here as another instrument. In so doing, her voice honors the album’s theme of identity, most specifically the “dissonance between image and self” and the “exploration of self in company.” By merging their sonic visions, McCoy and Brookes become one, and yet their individual contributions can be clearly distinguished, leading to another question: what is the self when the self is more than the sum of its parts?
As “far” begins, there are only quiet rattles and tentative vocal tones, a tuning akin to an orchestra. Confidence rises as layered voices find harmony. Given the theme, one imagines a reconciliation, represented by a vocal drone that eventually floats down a stream of flowing water. Now a single voice takes control, testing and reassessing its power, before it once again welcomes another. The stream – once the focal point – vanishes as if it were never there, but the flow remains.
In “changelings,” chimes and thunder enter the fray, as if the artists are tuning clouds. The vocal explorations become creative loops, conjuring a lightning of their own, the spark of collaboration. “stragnege” (“stranger”) explores both interpretations of the word; by incorporating whistle and spoken fragment, the track is stranger than its siblings; but it may also imply the stranger within one’s self as well as the created “other” one presents to the outside world. In “Grains,” Brookes becomes both operatic diva and theremin, two ends of the sonic spectrum, as dried peas dance around her: an honest, organic percussion.
As the music winds down, two simultaneous events occur. A vocal drone develops, recalling the opener. The individual voices separate and peak, as if they have found value in their differences. Perhaps the point is not to fuse image and self, but to make peace with their distinct natures. The album, despite being the work of separate artists, offers a singular vision. Yet even if one were to remove all of the intentions and interpretations, one would still be left with a beautiful residue, honoring the “sirens” to which the artists refer, without the danger of crashing on the rocks. (Richard Allen)
Thu Apr 24 00:01:15 GMT 2025