artist: Stars Of The Lid country of origin: USA style(s): Drone, ambient, environmental, neo-classical essential releases: The Tired Sounds Of Stars Of The Lid (2001, Kranky) And Their Refinement Of The Decline (2007, Kranky)

As the name implies, this gifted duo from Texas USA specialises in dreamy late night ambience, deep sounds from a place somewhere between consciousness and sleep.

At their considerable best, as demonstrated on these two double-CD albums, Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie make mood music that sighs and surges with tidal-like power. Beatless and never hurried, it differs from much other electronic-based drone music in its delicate pauses and near-silences. These musical breaths, these spaces in between, draw your focus to music where not much else happens. Tracks are generally short in length but often melt into one another.

The sounds of cellos, violins, guitars, piano and other instruments are heavily treated to create shimmering landscapes and touching, melancholy instrumentals. Odd titles abound: "A Song For Cubs", "Requiem For Dying Mothers", "Dopamine Clouds Over Craven Cottage". Stars Of The Lid inhabits a quasi-surreal universe, although the music is far too sparse and minimal to be called psychedelia. As for influences, the pioneering recording treatments and techniques of Brian Eno have left a mark on the duo, as has the spacey neo-classical music of Arvo Part. Beyond that, the band's musical sources of inspiration seem buried deep below the surface.

Early, occasionally abrasive releases starting with the debut Music For Nitrous Oxide (1995) through to Avec Laudenum (1999) all have something to recommend them for fans, although listening to them now leaves this listener with a feeling of incompleteness compared to these sprawling, low-key epics.

A final word: the band has been the subject of some ridiculous over-praise by elements of the indie rock and "post-rock" music media, who have hyped the duo as a badge of esoteric cool since the release of Tired Sounds in 2001. To read some reviews you'd think Stars Of The Lid virtually invented drone ambience and is the first and last word in the style. This view betrays a breathtaking ignorance of hundreds of significant ambient and eclectic artists dating back to the 1960's. McBride and Wultzie deserve better; it's safe to predict their beautiful music will remain with us long after the hype has passed.

HOME