(Dead Forest Records, 2023)
This EP presents the contrasting styles of two highly original and compulsively listenable artists. Cornelius Corvidae is in some ways a throwback to a very adventurous time in music when fringe progressive folk acts like Comus and the Incredible String Band took listeners on mystical, dramatic journeys driven by cosmic wordplay and a marvellous intensity of execution. This is the music of a glade soaked in moonlight, like something out of a George Macdonald or Arthur Machen story. On the other end of the spectrum is Ali Murray’s trademark mastery of the art of melancholy, here represented by two delicate tracks that match delicately plucked acoustic guitars and ambient textures worthy of his instrumental project The Lonely Bell. As always, Murray utilizes just enough of a Scottish folk flavour to add a windswept feel, which, when combined with his ethereal, yearning vocals, never fails to make sorrow sound sweet. Two distinct artists, four wonderful songs.
- Allister Thompson
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''...a delightfully haunted EP of two criminally unrecognised singer-songwriters doing what they do best. Great stuff.''
- Fog Songs
''...an excellent split EP''
- Heresiarch Music Reviews
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Monolith Cocktail review :
''As the name suggests this is an EP split between two artists playing two songs each... Cornelius Corvidae - Two songs of cosmic Americana. ‘Silver Flower (Kali’s Invitation)’ employs acoustic picked guitar on a bleak ballad, all dark imagery and campfire ghost-story shadow. ‘Shiva in the Blood Orchard’ meanwhile, uses picked acoustic guitar set against Tudor-like keyboard melodies (reminiscent of the Moody Blues) on a dark folk ballad.
Ali Murray - On some of his other releases he harnesses a shoegaze-like sonic template. Here he adopts a stripped-back sound of acoustic and electric guitar and organ. Standout track is the beautiful ‘Wish the Bones Away’ with its poetic lyrics and melancholic gothic strangeness. ‘Spirit of Unknowing’ meanwhile, uses acoustic guitar to great effect on an atmospheric ballad that combines the phrasing of John Grant with the sadness of Elliot Smith. Two songs of beauty and wonder. Two artists, four great songs!''
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Stream/Buy/Download :
https://alimurray.bandcamp.com/album/split-ep---
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