Lee Ranaldo & Raül Refree – Names of North End Women (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 45:11 minutes | 503 MB | Genre: Alternative & Indie
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Digital Booklet, Front Cover | © Mute
Contrary to what this particular collaboration could make you think, not a single guitar was recorded for this album. Neither Lee Ranaldo, former guitar player for Sonic Youth, nor Raül Fernandez Miró (his real name), distinguished flamenco artist (he has worked with Rosalía), wanted to use their talents. With Ranaldo’s voice sounding similar to John Cale, and ambiances that will remind an older generation of Alan Vega, the two friends (they have collaborated for many years) let their musical fantasies run wild, preferring to rely on experimental sounds for this record. Pairing seemingly-improvised ambiances with opaque outlines, the main instruments used are vibraphone, sampler, marimba and tape deck. No bass, no drums, just some music by a band that isn’t actually a band, as Lee and Raül categorically refuse this label.
The lyrics are supplied by the writings of Lee Ranaldo himself or Jonathan Lethem, the American science and detective fiction writer. Just like the title Names of North End Women and its first track Alice, Etc., the songs often appear like visions or daydreams. In the town of Winnipeg, the North side’s streets are all named after women, immediately a source of captivating inspiration for the artists. Not to be missed, Humps contrasts brutal sounds with the melancholy nature of the ballad that touches on life’s suffering. Definitely one of the most beautiful albums of the moment. – Christian Eudeline
Tracklist:
1. Alice, Etc. (06:28)
2. Words out of the Haze (04:47)
3. New Brain Trajectory (04:35)
4. Humps (Espriu Mix) (05:45)
5. Names of North End Women (06:40)
6. Light Years Out (04:54)
7. The Art of Losing (06:03)
8. At the Forks (05:59)
Download:
mqs.link_LeeRanald0RalRefreeNames0fN0rthEndW0men20202448.rar