The Simian River Collection 1980-2020
Multichase, 2023
9/10
Listen to The Simian River Collection 1980-2020
A collection of 41 tracks across 3 discs that spans 4 decades, the guitarist, photographer and record label owner Carl Weingarten’s instrumental and atmospheric song craft is as alluring as ever across The Simian River Collection.
“Laughing At Paradise” opens the listen with Weingarten’s precise and warm guitar playing that’s as mesmerizing as it is pretty, and later on the frisky synth patterns of “Somber Grease” make for a very exciting and memorable highlight.
The middle disc offers the dreamy warmth of the cautious yet exploratory “Local Journeys”, which uses bass strategically and welcomes some prog-rock nods, while “Holographic Blues” showcases Weingarten’s distinct guitar playing alongside soft drumming that’s very agile.
The final disc is home to hypnotic, lush tracks like the nature-esque “Sing Like Water” and the meticulous mood and cinematic qualities of “The Simian River”. “Ember Days” exits the listen, and it’s full of cascading beauty, soothing wordless vocals and, of course, Weingarten’s mature guitar playing.
Whether you’re a long time fan or a newbie to Weingarten’s work, there’s just so much to enjoy here via the lifting melodies and ambient texturing.
Travels well with: The Royal Arctic Institute- Sodium Light; Carl Weingarten- Stop Me Try