In a way there isn’t much point describing Slow Dancing Society’s ‘The Slow And Steady Winter’ because both artist and album title sums up all you need to know about the images Drew Sullivan conjures up from his wintry Washington abode. This is music to drift along to; the perfect soundtrack for the onset of the cold season.
It begins quite beautifully with the elegant, shimmering ‘The Early Stages Of Decline’; its typically morose underlying melody calls to mind the minimalist but inherently sad work of Labradford. It fully justifies its fifteen minute track length. This is post-rock but not the type which switches between quiet and loud, Sullivan’s instrumentals are always understated but maintain a hold over the listener thanks to their emotional depth. ‘Depths Of December’ contrasts a growling underbelly with the kind of alien communication noises more likely to be heard on ‘Close Encounters Of The Third Kind’. Amongst the other great moments, a glistening steel guitar figure and warm atmospheres characterise the stately ‘The Time We’ve Spent’ whereas the euphoric ‘Romantica’ - featuring vintage 4AD-style choral and guitar effects - is possibly the most stunning thing on here. This is a lengthy record but it has so much depth and feeling, it’s almost impossible not to be moved by it.
Web Sites:
Slow Dancing Society Artist Page On Hidden Shoal Recordings
Slow Dancing Society MySpace
Further Listening:
Labradford, Zelienople, Cocteau Twins
From a personal viewpoint, I prefer the debut ‘The Sound of Lights When Dim’, which was simplya revelation when I heard it. But that does not detract from the quality of this release either. There is apparently a ‘part 2′ of sorts of this one in the pipeline, but with more focus on the season of Summer