Malady Of Elegance

Though he more regularly records as Helios, Keith Kenniff's work under the Goldmund moniker has contributed to the quieter side of the Type label over recent years, and his second album under the name continues this streak in winning, quietly beautiful fashion. Relying on piano that places itself between Harold Budd's ambient experiments and a harsher, post-glitch inventiveness that keeps it from being too smooth in the end, The Malady of Elegance ultimately ends up being good late-night listening, but not for sweet dreams. Opening song "Image-Autumn-Womb," with its sudden high notes and a feeling of shuddering strangeness in the arrangement, sets and strikes this balance, and if much of the album tends towards the contemplative, it's not in a simply pretty fashion. Other strong songs include "John Harrington," with its gentle melodic flourishes, and the dramatic conclusion to "Evelyn," which also wraps up the album on a strong, powerful note. ~ Ned Raggett

ヘリオスことキース・ケニフがゴールドムンド名義でニュー・アルバムをリリース。研ぎ澄まされたピアノの旋律で緊張感溢れる音世界を作り上げていた前作とは対照的に、本盤では浮かんでは静かに消えていくピアノの一音一音とその残響にただただ身を任せていたくなるアンビエントを披露。ブライアン・イーノの大名盤『Music For Airports』を思わせるサウンドスケープを、じっくりとご堪能ください。　　　　　　
bounce (C)大久保 洋二