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LP
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SAB 100LP
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"Long into his varied, restless recording life, Steven R. Smith continues to deliver moments of wonder. Spring, like much of his very best, explores small notions that shift and expand to reveal a private sort of grandeur. Joining Smith on Spring is Gareth Davis, the Amsterdam-based bass clarinetist and occasional collaborator of Machinefabriek, Merzbow, Elliot Sharp and Smith himself, and his presence here is crucial. The restrained interplay between Smith (on guitar, piano, percussion etc.) and Davis create a warmth and intimacy akin to Mark Hollis' masterful eponymous solo LP. Steven R. Smith has been a quiet force in underground psych/post-punk circles since the mid-90s. In addition to a handful of classic releases under his own name, Smith is perhaps better known for the material releases under various pseudonyms (e.g. Hala Strana, Ulaan Khol, Ulaan Markhor, etc.) or as a member of cult acts like Mirza and Thuja. Spring is the latest entry point into his own particular version of cinematic composition."
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CD
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RS 024CD
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2008 release. "Originally released in 2006 on Important Records as a limited run LP in their ongoing Arts & Crafts Series, Root Strata is proud to present the reissue of The Anchorite, a dazzling jewel in Smiths substantial discography. Performed live to two track with the aide of tape loops and prerecorded takes, the music maintains a drifting, painterly quality that easily evokes the American west as much as the European east which Smith so lovingly mines for his Hala Strana recordings. Sepia toned and tinged with a luminous distortion, The Anchorite, as the name suggests, is reserved, pulled back and solemn, some kind of hermetic prayer for the end of the world. Beautifully repackaged with new artwork in a heavy black & white gatefold CD case with offset printing."
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CD
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ACE 007CD
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"Steven R. Smith's name has become more commonplace over the last half-decade, and that's a very good thing. From his monumental works as Hala Strana to being a prominent contributor to many Jewelled Antler projects, his sound is distinct. This is the first brand new solo album from Steven R. Smith since last year's epic The Anchorite. On here, you'll find some of the things you expect with a new Steven R. Smith record: sparse, angular walls of his trademark guitar playing with embellishments from an array of acoustic instrumentation. But there's a new twist here: vocals. Yep, vocals. Smith unleashes his voice on Owl and does so in such an impressive fashion that it leaves one asking 'what took so long'? Owl is full of desolate but hopeful aural landscapes. There's a tinge of regret and longing in his voice when he belts out the words, 'this is the world we know...' And in those six words, Smith sums up what Owl brings to the table. There is something recognizable about this terrain; the paint is just worn down enough to expose the raw wood underneath. But carefully placed in each corner, in each nook is something new that breathes life into the familiar. This is a bold step for someone who has already accomplished a great deal, and leaves us listeners without a clue as to what will happen next. This is magic, indeed."
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