A few months ago I walked home from the weekly city flea market in Ghent with a brand new album under my arm. Something you wouldn't expect from a flea market if you don't know that one of the market vendors is actually a musician who offers, besides second-hand stuff, his debut album. Market man and musician, Peter Arnout is also a personal friend, which was actually a problem, since I wanted to formulate my findings separately from our personal relationship. A rational review determined on a first listen.
And as far as I made the impossible possible, here is my wording...
© 2018 Maria Little
SISTERFOX BROTHERHOOD:NUMBER NINE
Released: September 2018
Style: Rhythm and folk
Genre: Acoustic, Singer - songwriter
strictly on vinyl (with digital download code): Not on label
Tracklist:
God on the phone
Anything you want
Requem for Sida
Angel save me
Dream on
The sound of the sun
1979
Maybe she's the one
Number nine
The vacuum
Guitar and Vocals: Peter Arnout
Guitar: Dirk Leus
Artwork/ photograpy: Maria Little
Fade in, guitar solo and God's on the phone...
From the very first tones you can hear, smell and feel the great inspiration; Neil Young, only... this album breathes more the desolate and simplicity of Bon Iver's debut album 'For Emma, forever more.' And at certain moments, some pieces reminds of Ry Cooder's Paris Texas with quibbles to Sufjan Stevens.
Next, in the declamation: 'Every time I look into her eyes I am like a chocolate bar melting in the sun', at the end of the fourth song 'Angel Save me', we can hear the expression and voice timbre of Nick Cave...
Yes, I am aware that I'm detracting this very personal sound and compositions with my comparisons, which shows more the ignorance of my writer's talent than something else. It's only an attempt to make something susceptible to something that is completely new and fresh. Then, the best way to describe something is with elements we do know. BUT... let us remember especially that the individuality of the emotional and thought fields are so idiosyncratic they can't be compared to anything else.
NUMBER NINE is an artistic collaboration between two musicians and a photographer, Sisterfox Brotherhood, that brings an acoustic journey through landscapes of human emotions. From the first listen it's clear that this is a very personal album, restrained and vulnerable, from the bottom of being. And at the same time it is a universal record because the deep human emotions are recognizable for each of us.
It's the simplicity of the acoustical occupation and the power of less words then needed that opens a certain register of feelings. Feelings that aren't allowed in our commercial society (in this world), but secretly have been recorded for eternity...
To actually find out what NUMBER NINE really is about, there's no other way than taking time to fully focus, with your ears spread and heart wide open, while you jump into a landscape of pure emotions. It's at that moment of total resignation, a story unfolds itself between the lines, in the details of the passing things that haven't been said. From the atmosphere of a creaking chair that has unintentionally lingered in the recording. It's simplicity in all its complexity, brought back to the essence, that makes this record so fascinating from the first note.
Personal favorites are track '8: maybe she's the one' + '9. Number Nine ', which run perfectly together (as if they are one composition)
At least, I would like to say something about the artwork by Maria little, that fits seamlessly with the atmosphere of the album. It's incredibly how delicate she has managed to translate the atmosphere and lyrics into a photo series. Using the same simplicity of the musical compositions, where suggestion gives us a voyeuristic look at the deepest human emotions. Striking!
So... in short, in my experience this is a genuine,sincerely album, both in image, sound and lyrics. An added value and must-have for everyone who finds music important in life.
Pre listen - Track teaser:
Vinyl for sale via my discogs account:
https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/898580792
