Quiver
New Focus, 2022
8/10
The esteemed ensemble loadbang return with their 4th album on the New Focus label, where they spotlight the works of Chaya Czernowin, Heather Stebbins, Quinn Mason and Zong Yun We, as well as loadbang members past and present Carlos Cordeiro, Jeffery Gavett and Andy Kozar.
“Aging” opens the listen with Adrian Sandi on bass clarinet, as Gavett’s expressive pipes guide the straightforward harmonies and vulnerable landscape, and “Quiver” follows with Adrián Sandí handling bass clarinet as strong attention to mood allows William Lang’s trombone to resonate much warmth.
“Flower” lands in the middle, and is quite atmospheric, where pitch is manipulated and wordless vocals are used unpredictably, while “Proverbial” emits a firm tone that is multi-lingual and benefits much from Kozar’s strategic trumpet.
Near to the end, “To Keep My Loneliness Warm” unfolds across 2 chapters that showcase short stories by Lydia Davis and displays stuttering text and subtle but effective instrumentation amid a distinct rhythm, and “Irrational” exits with sonically fascinating timbre gestures that you won’t soon forget.
An extremely well done body of work that blends baritone voice, trumpet, trombone and bass clarinet, loadbang are nothing if not original, and this body of work speaks volumes about their atypical vision.
Travels well with: Stephen Barber- Earth; Steven Ricks- Assemblage Chamber