Blush [Import]

Woven Hand | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Glitterhouse Records
• ASIN: B000083EBQ
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #637,301 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cripplegate (Standing on Glass)

2. Animalitos (Ain't No Sunshine)

3. White Bird

4. Snake Bite

5. My Russia (Standing on Hands)

6. The Way

7. Aeolian Harp (Under the World)

8. Your Russia (Without Hands)

9. Another White Bird

10. Story and Pictures

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Darkwave meets bluegrass?, May 13, 2004

By 

J Lee Harshbarger (Ypsilanti, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blush Music (Audio CD)

After listening to an album as beautiful as this, I feel that any attempt to describe it in words will destroy the beauty. But how else can I communicate the treasure that this album is?

During the first two songs, a succinct description that comes to mind is "darkwave meets bluegrass," mainly due to the use of banjo in these slow, haunting tunes. But after track two, the banjo disappears and the sound seems to move to a kind of alternative rock with the influence of Native American music sounds. So then is it "darkwave meets western"? I guess that's part of what appeals to me about this album: I've never heard anything like it, so I can't file it away in any category. It is fresh and unique.

All of the songs are dark and very slow, but never do I feel that the album drags; it is beautiful, it is mesmerizing.

Instrumentation varies somewhat by song. The first two songs use banjo with fluid, sliding electric guitars; "Aeolian Harp" uses an organ while the vocals and electric guitars groan. "The Way" is a brief instrumental that uses a slide guitar with interesting percussive instruments. The instruments in "Snake Bite" sound rusty, if you can imagine what I mean by that, then in the latter part of the song, a stringed instrument is used, perhaps a cello, and the bow is bounced on the strings for an interesting effect. "Story And Pictures" starts with floating darkwave-style strings, then moves to piano. Electric guitars are used in various ways in all the songs.

Added sound effects provide an imaginary landscape. A sound in "Story And Pictures" reminds me of a woodpecker or a slowly creaking door; it is accompanied by church tower bells. I can't even begin to describe the interesting sounds found in the 5-minute mood-setting introduction of the 14-minute song, "Animalitos." All I can say is, they paint a vivid mental picture through sound.

The male vocals are usually at low register, with a pensive mood. Several of the songs have no vocals at all.
Speaking of vocals, here are a couple lyrics that stand out to me:
From "Cripplegate": "I wish to know nothing here, save for the blood of the cross; in you alone there is no harm."
From "Story And Pictures": "...tough-skin cowboy; idle hands, they rust..."
From "Aeolian Harp": "There is no buffalo outside, rifle child; it is more than hunger that betrays my heart."

If you are interested in hearing something unusual, something dark and beautiful, I highly recommend this album.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Music, December 2, 2003

By 

Nathan G. (Lakewood, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blush Music (Audio CD)

This is quite the follow up album to the self titled release. The songs are much longer and drawn out, but not in a boring or tedious fashion. The fact that it is now a domestic release is a bonus to fans here, I imported this puppy. Well worth the $25 I paid for it.

The first album is a more traditionally structured album. This album is much darker and personal. Less sing-a-long.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No need for me to blush, September 19, 2006

By 

Guylaine Le Ber (St-Hubert, Qc) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Blush Music (Audio CD)

I never wanted to be associated with country music or any religion but these guys make it sound okay for me.

It's an experiment on mixing styles and those styles are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Think about these duos religion-darkness, new age-bluegrass, classic-industrial sound etc... THE NICE PART: THEY ARE ALL THERE AND LIVE WELL TOGETHER maybe we should take exemple on that with humandiversity. Lyrics are exceptionals and singing use a nice tone.

Last year I went on their website and burnt 3 songs that I really liked "White bird", "My Russia" and "Sparrow falls". I ended up buying their 2 albums and discover a lot more. Songs I've downloaded were even better on cd because they were extended. I'd say now my two favorites are the heavy "Your russia" (where he sounds like he's angry but restrain himself to speak teeth close) and the happy "Cripplegate".