All Clouds Bring Not Rain CD

MEMORIALS jump off the waterslides and head above the clouds with their stunning second album, All Clouds Bring Not Rain. The duo of Verity Susman and Matthew Simms formerly of Electrelane and WIRE locked themselves away in a studio in a barn secluded deep in the woods in southwestern France and reemerged with a beautiful, unusual record that is both melodic and unconventional. For such an ambitious album its striking that it was written, performed, recorded and mixed solely by the two of them.Sounding like an unearthed classic, MEMORIALS twist their influences into their own unmistakable sound. Imagine Nico singing with Can produced by David Axelrod and youre somewhere in the right ballpark. The record draws inspiration from a wide range of music including folk, dub, post punk, experimental tape music, 60s soul, garage rock, 70s spiritual jazz and Canterbury prog.This attention to detail in their sound meant finding several other studios to get what they needed to record with, including a harpsichord at 4ADs studio in London and a vibraphone and vintage Leslie speaker in Stereolab drummer Andy Ramsays studio Press Play.Veritys distinctive, unadorned singing is a focal point of the record, moving from tender to wild. Her vocal melodies quickly become earworms, providing the tuneful heart around which the songs more unorthodox elements are arranged, which is where Matthews unconventional approach to recording and production comes to the fore.With their adventurous arrangements, classic songwriting skills and innovative production techniques, MEMORIALS have created another mesmerising listen thats accomplished and compelling in its unique approach yet remains dizzyingly immersive just like their acclaimed live shows.Exciting and unpredictable The GuardianEverything youd expect from a duo adept in the strange and esoteric, while also in thrall to pop musics melodic bent. The QuietusStunning, kaleidoscopic tunes Electronic SoundEngagingly eclectic UNCUTDivinely tuneful yet confrontational The WireKaleidoscopic artpop and adventurous psychrock with an immersive, experimental aura. KEXP.