Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement Of The Decline (2007)

[DudeAsInCool]

After a six year layoff, Stars of the Lid maestros Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie have returned with their latest ambient-classical concoction, "And Their Refinement of the Decline". And I'm happy to report that it's one of the best albums of this year, or any year for that matter.

According to Brian McBride, the band's name is defined as 'one's own personal cinema'. Whatever, the music certainly is beautiful. McBride, who lives in LA, and Wiltzie, who lives in Brussels, have craftily mixed together and synthesized guitars, strings, keyboards, and horns,violins, trumpets, harps, a children’s choir, and various other audio samples into an ambient masterpiece. As one of the reviewers said at Stylus Magazine, he got shivers listening to (the oddly titled) closer, “December Hunting for Vegetarian Fuckface." He also noted that he didn't see much advancement beyond their previous work, "Tired Sounds of The Stars of the Lid" - but if you are new to the band, like me, they are a revelation.

But don't let my hype turn you off. Check out the music video for "Daughters of Quiet Minds" and see for yourself.

For more samples, visit MySpace and/or YouTube.

And if you like what you hear, you can Get it at Amazon. Recommended.