Stars of the Lid and their Refinement of Decline 3-LP Kranky Mint/Sealed

Put on Stars of the Lid's Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid and bliss out. Unspeakably sublime, the latest effort of Brian McBride and Adam Wiltzie, who distance themselves from their hometown Austin, Texas, boogie rock scene, is a minimalist, parametric - and ambient - symphony with a faint rock sensibility that refuses to beg for attention. Tired Sounds is built from formal patterns with layers of melody, texture, atmosphere, and rhythm - but not in the way we normally know it and without the use of drums. Unidentifiable guitars, strings, keyboards, and horns, from soprano to bass in tone, are synthesized with occasional field recordings sounding like audio samples of our universe from the last century and the next galaxy. The work recalls impressionist classical music more than indie rock, and one might mathematically graph the patterns of the six suites that stretch across six sides of vinyl with names like 'Austin Texas Mental Hospital' and 'Requiem for Dying Mothers.' Transcendent yet subtle, Tired Sounds will require many listenings to fully grasp, remaining a fascinating puzzle to contemplate and enjoy. File under life-affirming ambient.
 
Kranky Records 2023.
Factory Sealed and Mint