After The Night Falls

Robin Guthrie

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2007)
• Original Release Date: July 16, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Darla
• ASIN: B000P6R6JW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #39,566 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's been more than 20 years since pianist Harold Budd's first full collaboration with guitarist Robin Guthrie's former group, the Cocteau Twins, on The Moon and the Melodies. Primed by their atmospheric collaboration on the score to Mysterious Skin, they pick up where they left off, sans the voice of Elizabeth Fraser, on a pair of matched CDs, After the Night Falls and Before the Day Breaks. Guthrie lays down his signature deep-echo guitar arpeggios and shimmering electric glissandos while Budd drops piano notes, each placed with the elegance and thought of a Zen garden. The latter, whose 2005 retirement appears to have been greatly exaggerated, has lately been stripping away the electronics and making an introspective solo piano music, often born from melodic fragments and languid improvisations. It's nice to hear them framed by Guthrie in an electric gossamer where melodies flutter like tattered cobwebs in the echoing wind. So it's not surprising that some tracks have a tendency to vaporize. Songs with a bit of grounding like "Seven Thousand Sunny Years," with its spare rhythm track and refracting guitars, tend to hold up a little better, while "My Monochrome Vision" just wanders into the drone zone. Of the two albums, After the Night Falls is more structured and formed, although Budd and Guthrie do wait until the last track of Before the Day Breaks to unleash a welcome slice of contrasting aggression with "Turn on the Moon." Totaling 81 minutes between them, I'm not sure why the albums couldn't have been condensed into a single disc, making a tighter, less diffuse statement. Yet both have more than enough moments of sublime melancholy and deep ruminations to provide a soundtrack for that long lonesome film in your mind. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars bliss, June 24, 2007

By	Brian M. Harris "goodtasteinmusic" (detroit, mi usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been a long time fan of the cocteau twins for quite some time. I was also introduced to harold budd when the twins collaberated with him on The moon and the melodies. As far as iam concerned, robin and harold are the perfect duo. Their music weaves together like beautiful tapestry. This is ambient music at its best. After the night falls is the best out of the two disc, but both of them are a must for any fan of both the artist.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another great album from Guthrie and Budd, July 13, 2007

By	Sayaka Takasawa "Blythetunes.com" (Yokohama, Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This album doesn't seem to cover any new territory that the two haven't done before either together or solo. It's a good listen however. Some of the guitar bits bring back fond memories of Guthrie's work 10 years ago. Overall it's a good addition to your collection. If you're a newbie to the pair, it's an excelent introduction.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dreamy Afternoon, September 19, 2007

By	Cora W "Glittergirl" (Honolulu, HI) - See all my reviews

this reminds me of my favorite cocteau twins recording, the moon and the melodies. this is a great cd to meditate to, very relaxing and mind opening. the music is creamy, dreamy, and lulling.