Label: Horn of Plenty
本名名義での1st LP!!2016年から停止状態にある個人的激推しカセットレーベル米Vitrineにも音源を残している、ビジュアルアーティスト、画家、実験楽器ビルダー、そしてレーベルCor Ardensも運営する奇才Jim Strong。英Horn of Plentyからは変名Eyes of the Amaryllisに続くヴァイナル作品となる、本名Jim StrongとしてのソロLP[My Enemies Are Mine To Keep]。奇妙なミニチュア的オーケストラ、自作の楽器より作り上げた不気味で触覚的なポップソング・ミックスなど、相変わらず着地点が定まらないオブスキュアな録音で統一。
Jim Strong is a US based artist and musician who in recent years has left a trail of enigmatic releases on labels such as Vitrine, More Mars and Chocolate Monk. He will also be familiar to some for his past work with Melkings, Eyes of the Amaryllis, and Weyesblood. Now HoP is pleased to announce Jim’s first solo vinyl outing.
My Enemies Are Mine To Keep is Jim’s most clearly defined statement to date. Its sides illustrate his self-sufficient, world-building methods through a mixture of orchestral miniatures and eerie, haptic pop songs fashioned from the artists home-made and invented instruments.
The attention to process does not over-shadow Jim’s commitment to making deeply affecting, human work. With his unique mechanical orchestra wheezing behind him, Jim’s heartfelt vocals (plus a duet with long-time collaborator, Natalie Mering / Weyesblood) guide listeners through themes of futurity and isolation observing, among other things; the macrocosms of a break up; the discovery of a dead body in a sleepy beach town; and an angel measuring the shape of God.
My Enemies Are Mine To Keep’s unique sound palette & approach to songcraft make comparisons futile but if we have to we’ll say Joe Meek, Harry Partch, Voice Crack, & The Incredible String Band. Capiche?