littlebow:
Pi Magpie:
Second Language:
Out 14th October 2013:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
If you're a film-maker who wants to make an animated feature or live-motion documentary based around an animal (or insect) community in a green-space in the city, any city, you've come to the right album. Pi Magpie has all the musical and literal requirements suitable for matching up with four-legged friends and creepy-crawlies going about their business - there's the title-track which conjures up images of fat spoilt bulldogs lolloping around the local park, Devil's Interval might soundtrack a busy anthill and For The Song wouldn't be so bad as an accompaniment to dancing butterflies in a suburban garden.
Maybe I should get a job as a music consultant - whatever, littlebow (with the little 'l') is an imaginative post-jazz duo from London signed to the equally visionary Second Language imprint that mixes woodwinds, minimalism and organics to great effect (on the whole), straying into irritating territory just the once or twice with Wearside Ratcatchers, which sounds like a cat has been allowed to chase mice across a Stylophone (although said piece does get pretty as the tune builds) and the interlude, How The Moon Got Its Light which outstays its very short welcome. But these are mere quibbles - Pi Magpie is a treat.
Considering members Katie and Kieron divide time up performing Gamelan and Post-rock respectively in their spare time, Pi Magpie is largely devoid of both genres. If Portico Quartet did exotica or lounge albums, they might do something like this, especially the resonating Joe Caligula. And as the twilight approaches and the sun sets on littlebow's charming exploration of all things verdant, the album's finale Faking Halos gets stuck in its own groove before taking its leave.
Pi Magpie is a curious bird that, as its name suggests, pillages various sources of inspiration for its own ends - and rather good it is too.
Pi Magpie:
Second Language:
Out 14th October 2013:
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
If you're a film-maker who wants to make an animated feature or live-motion documentary based around an animal (or insect) community in a green-space in the city, any city, you've come to the right album. Pi Magpie has all the musical and literal requirements suitable for matching up with four-legged friends and creepy-crawlies going about their business - there's the title-track which conjures up images of fat spoilt bulldogs lolloping around the local park, Devil's Interval might soundtrack a busy anthill and For The Song wouldn't be so bad as an accompaniment to dancing butterflies in a suburban garden.
Maybe I should get a job as a music consultant - whatever, littlebow (with the little 'l') is an imaginative post-jazz duo from London signed to the equally visionary Second Language imprint that mixes woodwinds, minimalism and organics to great effect (on the whole), straying into irritating territory just the once or twice with Wearside Ratcatchers, which sounds like a cat has been allowed to chase mice across a Stylophone (although said piece does get pretty as the tune builds) and the interlude, How The Moon Got Its Light which outstays its very short welcome. But these are mere quibbles - Pi Magpie is a treat.
Considering members Katie and Kieron divide time up performing Gamelan and Post-rock respectively in their spare time, Pi Magpie is largely devoid of both genres. If Portico Quartet did exotica or lounge albums, they might do something like this, especially the resonating Joe Caligula. And as the twilight approaches and the sun sets on littlebow's charming exploration of all things verdant, the album's finale Faking Halos gets stuck in its own groove before taking its leave.
Pi Magpie is a curious bird that, as its name suggests, pillages various sources of inspiration for its own ends - and rather good it is too.