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A collection of songs written & recorded by the voice of Eyeless in Gaza in 1995. The words are very much the focus of expression here, with just a simple organ-based musical backing.
Between 1994 and 1998, Martyn Bates worked solo, and intensely releasing more than eight albums : including collaborations with the song writer and singer Anne Clark and M.J. Harris of Napalm Death / Scorn, particulary influencial and championed by the avant-garde and such magazines as The Wire.
Long time before the concept of "neo"-, "new"-, "weird"- folk was really considered actively through the music of people such as Devendra Bahnart, Coco Rosie or Antony & The Johnsons, the music of Martyn Bates had already articulated a strong vision of how folk might evolve.
"Mystery Seas", originaly released in 1995 and now remastered, is the second of Martyn Bates' "Letters written" series. On this album he sets his songs into organ based backings, going right back to the drones of traditional song and more than this, to church music. It's an intensive sound which would appeal to fans of traditional folk and electronic music fans all at once, which has to be some achievement. There is a dream state built up from these songs of drifting minimal chords and layers of vocals. What could sound sparse, sounds full and balances. Songs like "Everywhere there's Rain" rang as amongst his best with his vocals particulary well delivered.
Strange Fortune listener reviews are a free space to share your impressions of the music.
Narsheptha says on 19 Apr 2006
Another Martyn Bates neofolk masterpiece.
This is music best suited to immense stone cathedrals or pre-world war concert halls. The amazing echo effects couldn't be reproduced in any other venue, though a good set of stereo headphones comes close.
There's a haunting quality to all that Bates touches and his distinctive voice is so emotive as to be chilling, at times. At first, the droning organs were a little over the top, but once the ear settles into their peculiar register, the effect is overwhelmingly soothing. Some tracks add additional instrumentation, often beats reminiscent of Eyeless in Gaza.
The subject matter of this release, as you might guess, revolves around the sea, though rain and water in general are used to tie the whole thing together. There are even a few tracks that build melodic structure around old sea shanties and traditional tunes.
This album is highly recommended for fans of Twelve Thousand Days and Eyeless in Gaza, as well as Martyn Bate's other solo stuff.
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