Win Peter Winters - Win Peter Winters (2011)

Tracklist

01. Sparks In The Sky
02. Demons
03. Rain
04. Ocean
05. Dream
06. Distance
07. Weary And Worn
08. Always Be Strong
09. Ocean Of The Dead
10. World Goes On


It s a bit trite at this point to start a review with something along the lines of in this sea of overproduced busy-ness business along comes Win Peter Winters with a gorgeously nuanced post classical folk pop fusion yada yada , so I won t do that. Already acts like Mumford & Sons have shown that people are both ready and willing to take the time to listen to some truly great songwriting with acoustic textures. The music has been compared to many things, but I think I m gonna go with Rachel s on this one. Except with more banjo. What I really want to talk about regarding this new self titled album is the insistence of pop aesthetics with classical instrumentation. Glock, banjo, sound recordings and a lovely cello (Chris s main instrument) combine with never-not-completely-not-dissonant lyrics to give the vague impression of being lost at sea. The vibe is melancholy and a bit lonely, but with a refreshing sense of dramatic irony (especially the quirky final track, World Goes On ). Though I wish the initial track was a bit stronger, by the time we get to Rain I was able to completely lose myself in the music, and directly following that we get Ocean , the above linked and my personal favorite. The concept album has generally consistent orchestration, but this particular track has a certain patience to it, which I love, and I m always a sucker for a good solid refrain at the end of several successive stanzas. I know, I m a nerd. --Paul Matthis

Beneath the odd moniker of New York act Win Peter Winters, the dominant presence is Chris Bell, who modestly describes himself as cellist and composer but as the band s Facebook page displays - he also provides vocals, viola, violin, banjo, glockenspiel and percussion. Assisted by his trusty band, he has assembled an album of classically-flavoured folk pop. Sparks In The Sky opens up proceedings in the manner of a sinister tale as strings veer between maudlin and threatening. The banjo-led Rain is particularly memorable, as are the stark atmospherics of Ocean . Yet just as the string arrangements control the mood, the vocals are raw and emotive; not unlike Martyn Bates from Eyeless In Gaza whose air for experimentation is also shared by Bell. It is these vocals which could do with toning down a little; maybe to be less crisp and harsh to suit some of the softer material. To that end, World Goes On exudes some much needed warmth. At times, Win Peter Winters is a little too austere to love. This isn t an album that is blessed with hooks but one with a strong narrative; likely to appeal to lovers of theatre and classical music rather than indie fans. --Leonard's Lair

Just a few days ago, this album landed in my email. During that time, I ve had a lot going on in my life. My wife and I are moving, I ve had plenty of work piled on me at school and I work 40 hours per week. Amongst all of this insanity, I get an email with an album for review which I immediately accepted. By this time, I know to only expect the unexpected with these album submissions. Having said that, this one still surprised me. Winters sets up a tonal landscape the likes of which I haven t heard since my days of tirelessly studying Edvard Grieg. His arrangement of orchestral strings paired with (I did a double take on this one) the banjo are delicate, heartfelt and daringly sparse. Like the aforementioned composer, Winters pieces together the folk music of his home country while blending in with the classical tradition. Instrumentally: A+. Compositionally: A+ The only drawback to be found here were in the vocals. Winters takes a bold leap and records his vocals without the aid of any kind of pitch correction. His dedication to musical integrity is second to none but there are times where he doesn't hit pitches dead on. This could also be my critics ears hard at work, trying to find any kind of imperfection in a sea incomparable sounds. Who knows? That's not to say that the vocals are bad. They're superb, it's just that the intonation issues were the only technical faults that I found here. To sum it up, Win Peter Winters spins a mighty fine yarn. This programmatic journey takes us through miles of undiscovered country and never leaves a stone unturned. It's like No Country for Old Men for the ears. This has been yet another album outside my comfort zone that I'm very glad I listened to. Well done. Very well done.

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