Saltland // I Thought It Was Us But It Was All Of Us
Solo project of the star in the Constellation collective.
Saltland // I Thought It Was Us But It Was All Of Us
Constellation, Released 14th May 2013
Saltland is the solo project of cellist Rebecca Foon of Esmerine (and former member of Silver Mt Zion and Set Fire To Flames).
This, the debut Saltland album, was engineered by Mark (Arcade Fire) Lawson and has a rich production that belies it having been recorded in Foon’s home-studio. Foon composes the songs, sings and plays cello, backed up by the likes of Esmerine’s Jamie Thompson, Colin Stetson of Bon Iver and both Sarah Neufeld and Richard Reed Parry of Arcade Fire.
Given the provenance, the sound is unsurprisingly rooted in post-rock and dream-pop but with doses of modern classical and even jazz, similar in intent (if not in execution) to Sigur Ros at their more mellow. The musicianship is of the highest standard but never is virtuosity more important than feel. Foon’s hushed, mellow vocals echo her work with Esmerine and show that she is the best vocalist in the Constellation collective.
From opener “Golden Alley” to closer “Hearts Mend” the dreamy but melancholy songs are never less than enthralling. Truly, a great album.
9.5/10
Pavlis
