Here

Haven't read the review in its entireity, but from skimming over, I gotta say that I disagree. The new album is disappointing, and it's not the place to start with 6OA. That's still Dark Noontide or maybe Dust and Chimes.

I mean, the new record's OK, but definitely not one of Chasny's better ones. The title track that takes up most of the album is pretty dull, really long, and goes nowhere, but there are a few really nice tunes elsewhere. Worth downloading, I guess.

Oh, Drinky. I haven't read the review, but I disagree with you. "School of the Flower" is REALLY good. You should think about buying it. I love it and think it fits amazingly amongst his catalogue. It's a logical growth, and I think it's beautiful.

hmm, which of you do i trust more...

I did buy it. I've only listened to it a couple of times, though.

Maybe it's a grower, but I was initially disappointed in Corsano's lackluster contribution, and the overly repetitive nature of Chasny's playing on most of it. It's drone - I get that - but I've heard better, especially from this band.

I'll definitely give it more time, but I'm pretty sure it fits pretty squarely in the middle of his discography quality-wise. Better than Compathia, but not among his best.

It's not drone. It certainly has elements of it, but to call it drone is severely limiting. It's got elements of so much else: minimalism, raga, psych, etc., refuses classification, whatever. The repetitiveness of Chasny's playing here, to me, is something more fully realized than some of his prior meanderings. Apparently this is his first proper studio recording. Well, I think he used that medium to great effect, preparing very robust platforms for further layering. The title track is the perfect example of this. There is some highly emotional playing here, captivating melodies, and astounding production in places. I have yet to discover all that there is of this album even.

Who is Corsano?

It's not "Dark Noontide", in my opinion, but it's not far off. Is in another class.

Hey Ish-ka-diddle,

Couldja get on iChat? I really want to hear this new 6OA album.

Thanx.

He's a drummer/percussionist, kind of a big underground figure in recent years. He's played with Sunburned Hand of the Man and, I think, No-Neck Blues Band. He was also in some thing with Thurston Moore, Jim O'Rourke, and a sax player guy whose name I forget. He seems like sort of a hot item for people to want to play with, but I can't say that I've really heard any recordings with him on them before School of Flower.

Anyway, notice any drums on the album? Keyboards? Yeah, me either for the most part, but that's what Corsano's credited with, and he gets equal billing beside Chasny in the liner notes. So I had some expectations that weren't quite satisfied here RE: finally hearing Corsano on record.

As for the layering... that's kinda what bothers me about the record. Maybe I'll come to like it in time, but I'm not crazy about how he just adds layers of stuff on top of repeating (looped?) figures instead of developing the figures themselves. It makes for nice enough background music, but I found fully attentive listening to be frustrating the first time through. There's just a gradual building up (this is mainly with the title track), and then a fade out. No twists or turns and no surprises. That's OK, I guess, and kind of typical of 6OA, but somehow I just want more.

Fair enough. I had some reservations about this record initially because it seemed kind of recycled and arranged piecemeal upon first listens: y'know, place drone here, sing falsetto there. But, that reservation waned pretty quickly. I think it's a bolder release than anything he's done before, but doesn't seem at all like an incongruent jump between works as, say, Low has done with "The Great Destroyer" - but I wouldn't call it typical Six Organs. I wouldn't call it a-typical either, but I think it's a refreshing adaptation of his very familiar recipe for goodness.

Anyway, while I don't adore it by any means, it's my favourite release of the year, probably.

I just bought this at lunch and I'm totally digging it.

yeah, i got this earlier this week. Just on a whim. I've heard the name all over the place but never looked into it. In fact I thought it was gonna sound waaaaaaaaay different. I'm into this for sure. Someone wanna recommend other stuff of his? I mean if I like this one where to next? I like that it's kind of spooky, haunting and plucky all at the same time.

Dark Noontides

See thread ^

fair enough. i just read stuff like "I wouldn't call it typical Six Organs. I wouldn't call it a-typical either,".

I guess I was wondering if since I liked this one would the others be simlar? ie Dark Noontide or Dust and Chimes. That's why we have p2p though, huh?

All Six Organs albums bear some similarity, but there's not one that's particularly like School of Flower. I guess Compathia is kinda close, but I'm not alone (in fact I think I'm in the majority) in thinking that's his worst album. I'd recommend Dark Noontide and Dust and Chimes to anyone who likes anything at all they've heard by Chasny. The s/t and For Octavio Paz (entirely instrumental) are good, too. I haven't heard any of his other stuff, but some people say Nightly Trembling is among his best. It's almost impossible to find, but you may be able to get it on Soulseek or something.

He's also responsible for the acoustic moments on the last two Comets on Fire records, just FYI.