Track Listing

1. Mirror Phase
2. New World
3. Judah and the Maccabees
4. Blue Moon
5. Great Wall
6. I Dreamed of the Caucasus
7. Don't Forget
8. Tanka
9. Eulogy to Lenny Bruce

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #232702 in Music
• Released on: 2000-09-05
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
Having left the quiet-core Galaxie 500 all those years ago to pursue their own even quieter path, Damon and Naomi create music that you don't so much listen to as eavesdrop on. Their quiet, atmospheric ruminations have an overheard quality that suggests a slightly altered state of consciousness. Their sleepy rhythms and obscure, symbolic lyrics make for a late-night brainteaser. On this album the Japanese psychedelic group Ghost add guitar and keyboards to the Spartan proceedings, subtly coloring the gentle hues without trampling on the delicate balance. Two covers, Alex Chilton's "Blue Moon" and Tim Hardin's "Eulogy to Lenny Bruce," garner mixed results. Their version of Chilton's tune doesn't quite have the desperation of the original, while the Hardin cover, modeled on Nico's version of the same song (as featured on the sublime Chelsea Girl), achieves a haunted, alienated effect. There is an enticing strangeness to the duo's aloof manner, and just as they never look into the camera, neither do their songs confront head-on the difficult emotions simmering under the surface. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews

Beautiful quietness
While some bands produce "driving" music, D&N's work is more suitable for your funeral cortege. While they may have a new collaborator here, the real ghost that always accompanies them is the spectre of their wonderful work with Galaxie 500, but they have made peace with it. This cd is never going to touch the heights of Galaxie 500, but it's still a mighty fine example of pastoral introspection. " Music to fall asleep to" is usually used as a criticism, but let this lull you into dreams with its gentle textures.

Quiet I am listening!!!
I am wondering why I bought this CD. I find the music sparse and minimal yet I want more. There are no big surprises or monster hooks just subtle nuances of sound and voice. What I really like about the music is how easy it is to listen to and at the same time how difficult is to stay focused on the music and not get lost in some deep thought. A nice change of pace for the fast -pace world.

Possibly the best of 2000
This is truly one of the best albums of 2000. The psychedelia of Japan's Ghost fits the folkish pop of Damon & Naomi to near perfection. The lyrics are flavored strongly by the spiritual (specifically biblical) current that runs throughout without pedaling any specific set of beliefs - more of a glimpse into the emotional state of the individuals found in religious tales. Ideal for quieter moments.