Cellophane Memories

デヴィッド・リンチと長年のコラボレーター、クリスタベルによるコラボ・アルバムが完成。光と音、昼と夜、星空と黒い森・・・、神秘的な融合から誕生した『セロファン・メモリーズ』、リリース。

ChrystabellとDavid Lynchのアルバム『Cellophane Memories』の原点は、Davidが夜、高い木々が生い茂る森を散歩していたときに体験したビジョンにある。そのとき、彼は木々の上に明るい光を見た。彼の回想によれば、その光はChrystabellの声による歌となり、彼に秘密を明かした。光と音、昼と夜、星空と黒い森、こうした神秘的な融合からChrystabellとDavid Lynchのコラボレーションは始まった。郊外出身の二人の作品は、常に世界の中心から外れた生活を表現してきた。 テキサス生まれのシンガーの歌声は、蒸し暑い南部の風と森の空き地で見る白昼夢にインスパイアされている。モンタナ出身の映像作家の目は、森の暗闇で明滅する映写機のようだ。二人は過去に2枚のレコードをプロデュースし、『Twin Peaks: The Return』でコラボレートしている(この作品でChrystabellはTammy Preston捜査官役を演じた)。『Cellophane Memories』では、2人は異なるポータルを旅した。Chrystabellの言葉を借りれば、このアルバムには「不思議に思ったり、さまよったり、振り回されたりするために開かれた多くの扉がある。ムード・ミュージックのようなもの」とのことだ。ChrystabellとDavid Lynchの過去の作品の多くと同様、『Cellophane Memories』もまた、「謎とは何か」という問いに私たちを立ち返らせる。このアルバムを体験することは、遠い昔、真夜中の森で起こった謎の最初のかすかな光を見ることであり、暗闇からの愛の帰還を鼓舞する声を聞くことなのだ。

One of the most impressive things about David Lynchs artistry is his commitment to working with longtime collaborators. With artists like the late Angelo Badalamenti and Julee Cruise, he forged a creative trust that fostered some of the most brilliant music of any of their careers. If Cellophane Memories is any indication, his partnership with Chrystabell will be just as profound. On their previous releases, it was easy to hear why they were drawn to work together: Chrystabells throaty voice rivals the presence of an old Hollywood siren, a quality Lynch is an expert at magnifying and subverting. However, This Trains gritty roadhouse stomp and We Dissolves electronic excursions burnished the Lynchian sound instead of bringing anything fresh to it. This time, they revitalize the surreally sensual pop the director has explored for the better part of 40 years. Simply put, Cellophane Memories sounds like the way Lynchs films and TV shows move. Instead of appearing in neat harmonies or clearly defined lead and backing parts, Chrystabells vocals circle, chase, and converse with each other. On songs like "She Knew," her layered voices are like multiple exposures in a photograph, capturing the slightest change in mood. Frequently, the album doesnt just challenge traditional song forms, but the flow of time itself. The entwining ecstasy of "Two Lovers Kiss" feels like it could go on forever; on "You Know the Rest," Chrystabells voice flits backwards and forwards over dusty guitars, implying that the beginning, middle, and end of love are happening at the same time. Cellophane Memories may be such a dynamic collaboration because its a truly equal partnership. Lynch produced the sessions and Chrystabell engineered them, and though he wrote the songs stream-of-consciousness words, shes the one who brings them to life. The richness of her voice is the only thing grounding "The Sky Falls" ambient drift, while the entire range of her airy highs and sumptuous lows is on display on "With Small Animals." Her growth as a vocalist makes itself known on "The Answers to the Questions," a torch song where her singing flickers between pain and desire like its in a strong wind, and on "Reflections in a Blade," which slices her voice into breathless fragments that dont lose any of their haunting impact. Chrystabell and Lynchs use of the studio as a device to erase the boundaries between then and now comes full circle on songs such as "Sublime Eternal Love," where her voice floats on Badalamentis signature synth string drones pulled from the directors archive. Like the third season of Twin Peaks, Cellophane Memories doesnt merely meet fans expectations. While theres plenty of dreamy heartache, its the often bewildering beauty Chrystabell and Lynch achieve on this album that makes it an artistic milestone for both of them. ~ Heather Phares