As much as I was impressed with their last album, it was still a bit patchy. On their latest album, This is Fire is a leaner and more concentrated effort compared to their previous releases. The ladies of Spires that in the Sunset Rise have refined their sound and recorded a wonderful little album. This is the best release from Spires in the Sunset Rise yet.
Secret Eye
Spires that in the Sunset Rise are an acquired taste, the first time I listened to them I found it hard to get by the singing which sounded flat and the formless song structures but the more I listened to them, the more I could appreciate their music. Despite being used to them at this stage, This is Fire was still hard to get into at first. After a few listens it fell into place. Songs like “Clouds” and “Sea Shanty” are quite loose and chaotic in their arrangement, especially on the former with the violin refrain sounding like someone who has never seen the instrument before, let alone played it. The latter has a strong drumming rhythm as a base but the different elements seem to attack the rhythm as opposed to play with it. It is challenging to enjoy them but once I made the effort I was captivated.
The songs combine a dizzying array of traditional music influences. The different singers use different styles, one of them singing the verses in a European folk style with the others providing harmonies with a more Middle Eastern flavour. The percussion combines Middle Eastern and African traditions, particularly the use of instruments like the mbira. There is always a danger of westerners trying to assimilate other musical traditions and diluting them but Spires in the Sunset Rise have kept the integrity, if not the actual form, of the different influences intact.
This is Fire is fantastic and is a big step forward for the band. There isn’t a chink in their armor at all here. The music is constantly powerful and primal, not only that but the band are quite on their own in terms of style. As unique as I find them, it’s only now that I think they’ve captured the perfect sound that they’ve been striving for.
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