Both musicians arrive with long and distinct histories. Broemel’s work as a key member of My Morning Jacket has often centred on texture, harmonic shading, and structure within a large ensemble. Ramsey, formerly a songwriter and lead guitarist with Band of Horses, has spent the past decade refining a solo voice attentive to melody, detail, and emotional precision. Over time their paths converged with more deliberate intent, and these tracks absorb classical discipline, folk fingerstyle vocabulary, and the long arc of rock songwriting into a shared acoustic language.
Dru Allen - vocals on “Alcyone”
Courtney Grace - vocals on “Flesh To Tree” and “Ariadne”
Slim Heilpern - harmonica on "Ari's Song"
Amelia Hogan - vocals on “Constellations”
Anji Lum - vocals on “Philomena”
Ryan Lum - guitars, blues percussion on “Philomena”
Erica Mulkey - vocals, cello on "They Give Me Flowers"
Colleen Hilker - vocals on "Throw the Stone"
Shikhee - modular synths on "They Give Me Flowers"
Jennifer Wilde - vocals on "Demiurge (Momento Eorum)" and "A Thread Of Happiness"
John Michael Zorko - synths, e-pianos, guitars, noise
Metanoia is pitched as being for ‘fans of 1980s 4AD dreampop (This Mortal Coil, Dead Can Dance), ‘90s shoegaze (Slowdive, Lush), or the darkwave / ethereal / ambient-electronic releases of the Projekt label (Love Spirals Downwards, Android Lust). It’s quite a span, but the fact is that this is a release with its inspirational roots well in the past. It pains me to be reminded that 1995 is thirty years ago when it feels like maybe a decade. The cover art of previous releases very much state shoegaze / dreampop, and while this album accompanied by altogether moodier artwork, which may in part serve to reflect the album’s title, it’s nevertheless hazy and evocative at the same time. ‘Hazy and evocative’ would be a fair summary of the album itself, too, and the dreamy / shoegaze elements are countered by some really quite unsettling spells of rather murkier ambience.
It starts strong with the bold swell of steel-stung acoustic guitar and a strong vocal – I’m not talking about a Florene Welch lung-busting bellow, but a controlled and balanced performance that really carries some resonance, and it’s mastered clear and loud… and then things swerve into a more electronic, almost dancy territory. Immediately it’s clear that this is going to be less an album and more a journey, and ‘Demiurge (Momento Eorum)’ immediately affirms this with its spiritual incantations and sonorous, droning rumblings.
"Metanoiaは、「1980年代の4ADドリームポップ（This Mortal Coil、Dead Can Dance）、90年代のシューゲイザー（Slowdive、Lush）、あるいはProjektレーベルのダークウェーブ／エセリアル／アンビエント・エレクトロニック作品（Love Spirals Downwards、Android Lust）のファン」に向けた作品だと謳われています。かなり長い期間ですが、実はこの作品のインスピレーションのルーツは遥か昔に遡ります。1995年が30年前なのに、10年くらい前のような感覚になるのは辛いです。以前の作品のカバーアートはシューゲイザー／ドリームポップを強く印象づけるものでした。今回のアルバムは全体的にムーディーなアートワークで、アルバムタイトルを反映している部分もあるかもしれませんが、それでもなお、ぼんやりとしながらも同時に感情を喚起させる作品となっています。 「ぼんやりとして刺激的」というのは、アルバム自体を要約するのにぴったりで、夢心地なシューゲイザーの要素は、かなり不安を掻き立てる、より暗い雰囲気によって相殺されている。
The Rifles return to Abbey Road’s Studio 2 for Unplugged Album Vol. 2, reimagining highlights from their catalogue in an intimate acoustic setting. Following the success of Unplugged Vol. 1, this second collection finds the band bringing new depth and tenderness to songs such as ‘Talking’, ‘Time in Hand’, ‘When I’m Alone’, ‘Peace and Quiet’, and ‘Darling Girl’. Backed by piano and string quartet, their melodic indie-rock sound takes on a renewed warmth and immediacy. Recorded live in one of the world’s most storied studios, the album captures the natural chemistry and honesty that have long defined the band’s appeal. For long-time followers and new listeners alike, Unplugged Album Vol. 2 offers a vivid portrait of a group still refining and reinterpreting their craft.
The Rifles
The Rifles Unplugged Album: Recorded at Abbey Road Studios
