Garden of Fainting Stars

The Book of Knots | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 14, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ipecac Recordings
• ASIN: B004Z18CKA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,304 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Band That Works Against Itself, June 17, 2011

By 

Elyon (Mesilla, New Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Garden of Fainting Stars (Audio CD)

I now have listened to all three albums by this group of luminary musicians and -- at times -- songwriters. While overall the music produced by Book of Knots is far superior to the quality of most everyone else, their indulgence in sonic noise noodling and mundane monologues detracts from each album's cohesion and musicality. In fact, I might suggest that Matthias Bossi return entirely to drumming and providing back-up vocals, as the singing on these albums has always been at its best when provided by violinist/vocalist Carla Kihlstedt and a rotation of other guest female singers (Carla Bozulich; Megan Reilly; etc.). For whatever reason, the musical collaboration between husband/wife Bossi/Khilstedt worked very well within the band Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, but Kihlstedt's best music beyond that context -- 2 Foot Yard; Tin Hat Trio; and various classical collaborations -- in my opinion has always occurred without her husband. But I digress... When concentrating on music rather than providing a platform for male monologues, play-acting, or noises off, Book of Knots provides some of the best and most imaginative music available, that will stretch the boundaries of the listener's musical experience. Simply fast-forward through the pretentious and self-indulgent moments or delete these distracting intrusions. If you do, you'll easily find a 5 star album -- if short here -- hidden between the diddle-drone-and-chaff. Nonetheless, the weakest of this band's output; their self-titled 2004 album and more, 2007's Traineater, were far better, in large part because they were more cohesive and offered greater musicality.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best, June 25, 2011

By 

James Kimber "toastmastergeneral" (Toronto) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Garden of Fainting Stars (Audio CD)

Easily the best album from The Book of Knots. An incredible journey. This group does exactly what they are here to do so very well. Thank you TBOK for this adventurous and inspiring listening experience.