Krzysztof Kieslowski's film "The Double Life of Veronique" has beendescribed as a romance about moments when we think we see ourselves ata distance; could there be more than one me? Well perhaps that's whatwas at the back of the mind of David Bennet of the heavily Sonic Youthinfluenced Stray Light when he chose the name, because this projectgives vent to his other persona, of e-bowed guitar dronescapes. Of thefive long, immersive yet spacious tracks, two are scored for bowedguitars and dedicated to minimalist painter Mark Rothko, whilst theother three are guitar improvisations that give a nod to Rafael Toraland Jim O'Rourke albums like 'Disengage'. The titles suggest that eachpiece could be a synaesthetic reflection on a particular colour. Eachtrack takes a constant drone as it's base and gradually unfurlsdrifting harmonics like watching the first rays of light creep over amisty morning horizon, until light engulfs the senses. It's a calm,reflective and beautifully blurred music that ought to appeal to fansof the less anchored members of the Kranky roster, particularly Starsof the Lid. In live excursions TDLV is augmented by a second droneguitar and violin, but for this disc it's all guitars. Hopefully thiswill be just the first step in a long and fascinating trip from deepestdarkest Manchester to head expanded eternal orbit around the planetJupiter. Available from: www.nameless-records.com
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