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Old 10-24-2009, 09:22 PM   #31 (permalink)
Zarko
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Spiritchaser (1996)


In the mid-90’s with relationships strained and creative differences at a maximum, Spiritchaser was to become the final Dead Can Dance studio album. During 1994 Gerrard had begun to work on her own solo project (The Mirror Pool, released 1995), perhaps signalling that the end was near, as both continued to work in isolation. The duo had continued with the strong tribal element, however in the same vein the overall ‘spiritual’ nature of the album has been increased tenfold. Rather than short, veracious tribal themed songs, the album is filled with elongated, harmonious tracks that average well over 5 minutes per track. There are also a few collaborative artists that continue from the Toward The Within live album release, such as Peter Ulrich. With the album there carries a sense of sadness, both in the general atmosphere created by the tracks, but also through knowing that something great is at its end.

An abnormal fluctuating noise wave introduces the album, leading way to the standard Dead Can Dance opening track, this time in Nierika. A marathon of percussion instrumentation works with the Gerrard-lead, Perry-assisted vocals. The dynamics between the vocalists, who normally work in their own dimension, is fantastic. This strong opening is followed by one of the albums highlights in Song of the Stars. The longest song Dead Can Dance has produced, at over ten minutes, it certainly delivers. The song begins with relative quietness, only a shaker making the occasional song before the fluctuating noise present at the start of the album opens up the proceedings, Perry’s vocals beginning in a lax-preacher fashion. An assortment of odd sounds, both from instruments and animal calls are present throughout, before Perry on guitar fleshes the track out a bit. The use of guitar as a central focus adds a rock element that has not been prevalent since the self titled release. This makes the album come full circle in a way, connecting with the self titled, but it doesn’t hinder the music whatsoever, in fact it adds to it. It is definitely an album favourite.


Nierika

Indus, a song in which the pair was forced by 4AD to give partial song writing credit to George Harrison due to its similarities with the song ‘Within You Without You’, is another epic, stretching to over nine minutes in length. A slow plodding track with Gerrard at lead vocals, the song slowly builds up in levels, seeming as if it will soon take off before it settles back into a lull. The guitars are added with touch and class, and they simply work. Song of the Dispossessed opens with a slow picking guitar line with Perry singing a downtrodden folk style. The track is built well, but it doesn’t really lead anywhere, and although it is nice, it would have been much better.


Indus

Dedicace Outo is a ridiculously short song compared to the others in the album. At only over one minute in length, the song fades straight into a full performance with no lead up, filled with shakers, various drumming and other suck percussion. As quickly as it fades in, it fades out again. The Snake and the Moon follows, opening with the waves of noise and clapping before a guitar twang signals in the group. Deep reverberating drums and Perry’s exploring and strong vocals are the gut of the song, with guitar lines being the key bridge between Perry and Gerrard vocal performances. The song is full of energy in comparison to the previous tracks, the guitar work sublime and in full force.

With the pace turned down once again, Song of the Nile is another well constructed track; the vibrant vocal combination is best represented in this track. There has always been a delicate give-and-take element to their work, where neither would attempt to outdo each other, and when the balance was compromised it resulted in a poorer album (Within the Realms…). Here though, in probably the first album where the two have united so often in the same tracks, the balance is perfect. In the finale to the album, Devorzhum also signals the ending of Dead Can Dance. Brimming with hope, it carries a sense of sadness for dedicated fans. It is fair to say; it is a fitting song, and certainly an ideal ending.


Devorzhum

Not everyone will enjoy Spiritchaser in comparison to Dead Can Dance’s other work. The passionate veracity and intensity is replaced in a sense with pleasant, long and spiritual songs. Whilst not delivering a killer blow at any one time, the album must be experienced in its entirety from speakers rather than headphones on a quiet eve in isolation. It most definitely has its moments, and although it is sad to see the end of DCD, it is a worthy finale to their name.

Nierika (5:45)
Song Of The Stars (10:13)
Indus (9:23)
Song Of The Dispossessed (4:55)
Dedicacé Outò (1:14)
The Snake And The Moon (6:11)
Song Of The Nile (8:00)
Devorzhum (6:15)


In a Few Words: A worthy finale
Best tracks: Song of the Stars, The Snake and the Moon and Devorzhum
Running time: ~52 minutes

Rating – An underrated 8.5/10
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