Das Duo aus NYC (Damon Krukowski, Acoustic Guitar, Drums,
etwas Gesang und Naomi Yang, Bass, Keyboards, viel Gesang) veröffentlicht
jetzt schon so lange (seit 1992) eigenständig Alben, dass der Terminus
"ehemalige Rhythm Section von Galaxie 500" mal wieder hervorgekramt
werden sollte, weil sich vermutlich kaum jemand noch dran erinnert. Waren
die ersten Platten mit ihrem super langsamen Schwerelosigkeitsgeist noch
näher an jener end80er Kultband von Dean Wareham angesiedelt, so haben
sich Damon & Naomi nicht nur in allen Belangen mächtig weiterentwickelt,
sondern sich auch personell verstärkt. So gehört der japanische
Electric Gitarrist Michio Kurihara (von Ghost) seit der Jahrtausendwende
fest dazu. Diese Formation vermag auch in 2007 noch in vollendeter Schönheit
wegzuschweben und dem entspannten Hörer alle Konzentration abzuverlangen,
aber zwischendrin gibt es spannende stilistische Öffnungen mit dezenten
Bläsern und Streichern, ziehen D&N sogar mal ganz leicht das Tempo
an und werden behutsam lauter. Ganz leicht, behutsam! Zwischen Low und Red
House Painters, Ida und Cowboy Junkies mit Wissen um Nico & VU.
(www.glitterhouse.de) |
The release of their seventh album, 2007's Within These Walls, means
that Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang have been releasing albums as a duo
for 15 years. Shocking, yes. Even more shocking is that at a point where
most bands or artists are well past their sell-by date, Damon & Naomi
keep getting better and more interesting. Their basic sound of gently
strummed guitars, melodic bass, innocent vocals, and arty lyrics has been
the same since they were two-thirds of Galaxie 500, but each record has
seen subtle changes in atmosphere and even some dramatic changes, like
adding the guitar of Ghost's Michio Kurihara (a collaboration that has
been working beautifully since 2000's Damon & Naomi with Ghost album).
Within These Walls marks a significant change in sound from the duo. Ironically,
given the title, it's their first record that sounds like it was made
outside the walls of their apartment. Thanks to the string and horn arrangements
that add rich texture to the tracks, the sax and trumpet solos that add
an occasional flourish, and of course, Kurihara's amazing lyrical and
lush guitar, the album has a larger-than-indie sound. Unlike many bands
that opt for a wider-screen approach, the addition of extraneous elements
doesn't weaken the core strengths of the group. Instead it gives Damon
& Naomi's already impressive sound more dynamics and drama. A track
like the Krukowski-sung "Defibrillation" is heartbreakingly
honest and tense; add the strings and Kurihara's swooping guitar lines,
and it's almost unbearable. Every track benefits from the expanded arrangements,
and it also helps that the duo has written some very good songs: the title
track is achingly beautiful and romantic sung in breathtakingly intimate
fashion by Yang, "Stars Never Fade" is a midtempo near-rocker
with a scorching Kurihara solo, "Cruel Queen" is a stark and
eerie recasting of traditional folk ballad "The Trees They Do Grow
High." Elsewhere it's easy to be charmed by "The Turnaround"'s
subtle vocal harmonies and lilting melody, the shimmering string arrangement
on "Lilac Land," the strutting horns on "On the Aventine,"
or Yang's splendid vocals throughout the album. Within These Walls ranks
alongside Damon & Naomi's best work (their time with Galaxie 500 included)
and is proof of their formidable staying power both artistically and as
a band.
(by Tim Sendra, All
Music Guide)
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