Customer Reviews

Comments of the Inner Chorus

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

More folk than electronic (at least compared to Four Tet, etc.), this is all strummed and fingerpicked guitars with a little glitchy accent here or there, and occasional tape-loop voices from instructional records (reminiscent of The Books). The tranquil, mellow rural vibe here is all their own, though, with a Bert Jansch or Richard Thompson British folk influence that lends it a depth that other "folktronica" acts can't deliver. Lyrics are good, too, and actually an important part of the music vs. just another atmospheric element. If there's any criticism, it's a little uniform and some might find it too similar beginning to end, but I appreciate that they know they've got a mood they're trying to sustain throughout.

Worthy second album from British folktronic proponents Tunng. For those not familiar with the genre this is essentially typical late '60's early 70's acoustic folk with electronic sounds and vocal samples swirling and doodling in the background and in between tracks. The songs are pretty soft, warm and easy on the ear and the electronics and samples are interesting without ever becoming overpowering or irritating. It is really only on the final track "Engine Room" where there comes a point that the synth takes over halfway and threatens to transform the song into a prog rock epic. However, the flute and acoustic guitars return for the last few minutes and harmony is restored. The songs are all above average but you can't help wondering if they would be all that interesting without the electronics. I found that the vocal samples stuck in my brain at least as much, if not more, than the actual songs. There are no bad songs on here, but neither is there anything that really stands out. I read one reviewer that compared them to Simon and Garfunkel, and there was certainly one song that made me think of the New York duo, but if you are looking for a more apt comparison the old British band Dulcimer comes to mind. Their '71 classic "And I turned As I Turned as a Boy", originally released on the highly collectible Nepentha label, has a few random sounds and poetry readings from Richard Todd linking the tracks. Just for the record, Dulcimer reformed in the early 90's and their more recent CD's are also well worth investigating. But back to Tunng: if you like thoughtful acoustic fare and are happy to have some electronics and sampling mixed in for added effect you should certainly enjoy "Comments of the Inner Chorus". I'm certainly glad I bought it.

This is a good, rounded album--probably Tunng's best, at least in terms of creating a harmonious balance between folk and electronica. It's definitely worth checking out, especially if you want to expose yourself to something unique. Tunng, probably because they're hard to classify, is a very under-appreciated group.

Gorgeous melodies with great lyrics makes this a must have for those who appreciate folk music. In my opinion they should just leave out the electronica and that could send them mainstream.

I am a big fan of Beta Band, and I like music that has a variety of things going on. Another one that I like with samples is Moby from the late 90s. I heard a few of Tunng's songs on an internet music site, and liked them well enough to buy the album. That said, after I had given it a listen a couple of times, the samples became a focus of the music and actually detracted from it rather than added to it. It's a small thing, but it makes the album unlistenable for me. If I could take those things off it, I might be able to listen to it.