2014 release from singer/songwriter Liz Harris AKA Grouper. RUINS is the follow-up to 2013's THE MAN WHO DIED IN HIS BOAT. Similar to TMWDIHB, RUINS' tracks mostly dates back to recordings made in Portugal in 2011, during a residency from the Galeria Ze dos Bois. The album channels 'a lot of political anger and emotional garbage' she was experiencing at the time, and was recorded using little more than a 4-track, a stereo mic and an upright piano. There's been plenty of Harris-related activity to get into this year, with Harris working with filmmaker Paul Clipson to produce HYPNOSIS DISPLAY, and she also appears on the intoxicating opening track to The Bug's ANGELS AND DEVILS album.
J**Y
New, but opened?
I am, and have been, absolutely in love with this album. Unfortunately this vinyl I purchased was not 'new', as I was lead to believe upon purchase. The packaging for the vinyl (not the shipping packaging) was opened, and looked like it had had a rough shelf life. Upon further inspection, I come to find I'm missing the 'digital download' that's supposed to come with this in the packaging, as well as a paper with album art and lyrics on it. Onto the vinyl, the actual record itself looks immaculate and I've yet to play test it as I'm waiting for a friend who wants to hear it for the first time on vinyl with me. Hopefully I'm not further disappointed.
T**N
Grouper continues to trend upward
Liz Harris does it again. She evolves her sound while maintaining the ambient Grouper sound. A beautiful soundtrack, and something that definitely benefits from the vinyl pressing. It makes the air thicker and darker.
J**E
There are just times you will want to put this on.
Soundtrack a very particular mood.
B**S
Five Stars
If you are reading this, you should just go ahead and buy it. It is astonishing.
D**T
Four Stars
Get sleepy, feel low, and perfectly score February. Warning, should be consumed in several small doses.
M**A
Five Stars
Amazing record and the packaging was great. No problems at all.
D**E
good
exact product, good price
R**I
Five Stars
Love Grouper !!
C**D
cool
cool
G**S
Beautiful Album
One of my favourite albums right now. The wealth of ambient noise builds a vast soundstage in the long breaths between piano and vocal refrains. I haven't heard anything this refreshing in a long time.
B**E
Minimal field recordings/recorded on analog reel to reel which get better with every play
If you only buy one album this year, buy this one. This is a masterpiece.Minimal field recordings/recorded on analog reel to reel which get better with every play.Buy now or lose out.
M**S
fragile
去年、リリースされたMan Who Died in His Boatとある意味、対になる作品なのかもしれない。あちらはフォーク、こちらはピアノ。ただし、１曲目と最終曲はフィールド・レコーディングを基調としたものであり、Made ofと謳われていることから、この２つが残りの曲をはさみこむことで一つの作品としようとしていることが窺える。いつものGrouperの作品にくらべて、歌詞は聴き取りやすく、明らかにこれまでの彼女の作品に較べて、パーソナルな響きを帯びており、内容も人間の関係性を（恋愛なのだろうか）主軸においているといえるだろう。ただし、あの「声」はいい意味で変わらない。優しいが、喪失感を感じさせる響き。それはピアノという楽器と非常に親和性が高いようだ。特に美しいのが、Holdingだろう。I hear you calling and I wanna goRun straight into the valleys of your armsあのささやくようなヴォーカルでこのラインが提示されるとき、はかなささえ感じられる。それは実現することはないことかもしれない。でも、胸をうつ。感情を希薄にさせるように歌われているのに、より多くのフィーリングが伝えられる不思議。聞いてみてほしい。
A**S
Five Stars
Everything OK
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