A quick google search of the term “aes sidhe” yields this result (thank you Wikipedia):
“The aos sí, “ace shee“, older form aes sídhe[eːs ˈʃiːðʲə]), “ays sheeth-uh“) is the Irish term for a supernatural race in Irish mythology and Scottish mythology (usually spelled Sìth, however pronounced the same), comparable to the fairies or elves. They are said to live underground in fairy mounds, across the western sea, or in an invisible world that coexists with the world of humans.”
This might help you form a paradigm in your mind’s eye while listening to the 5 song full length that the duo otherwise known as Patrick Quigley and Calvin Maloney just released.
If some bands suffer from an inferiority complex, analecta certainly breaks this stereotype by breaking preconcieved notions of what two men in a band can do. In a world where live duos are becoming increasingly common, these guys are still the only two that pull off this particular sound that I’m aware of.
The ethereal, mythological paradigm established by the title definitely helps me along when listening. I’ll admit it – like the average joe listening to post rock, I find myself returning to the same mindset over and over. Musings of storms and sunlight breaking through the clouds, and the idea that this MUST be listened to (if it didn’t originate in) somewhere in Scandinavia. After all, that’s where Sigur Ros is from, right?!
I can’t say I’m sure what celtic fairies would compose, but given the album title, it might sound something like this. Listening to this album on a rainy spring day seems to only corroborate this idea, as the ambient tones of “Tied So Firmly to the Ground” wind down in the style of Sigur Ros’ “Svefn-G-Englar.” More attitude in the guitars though. The fact that Calvin accomplishes this with live looping is hella impressive.
The LP takes a carefree, more sunny turn in the album closer “Lest We Drift Away,” with some lighthearted melodies that sound like they originated from a synth-version of a flute. This is in marked contrast to opener “Children of the Stars” which twinkles in a mystical sort of way while emphasizing the vastness of space. I’m not sure what the creatures mentioned in the definition of the words the album title is derived from look like, but I’d imagine they twinkle, too.
Analecta are a spectacle to behold, and this record just reemphasizes this in my mind.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8UwwJJc4-4[/youtube]
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