From the title track Gilt Trip, with its deep bass opening, the mood is set, until suddenly Tragic Mandarin Love Story is upon us, fantastic violin sounds make this the most jaunty (almost danceable) track on the album.
Eyes Smeared With The Ointment Of Love follows and once again we are lulled into a strangely atmospheric, even eerie soundscape with tracks like Neither Sun, nor Moon, nor Electricity. Ranging from bleak almost sci-fi sounds to a more evocative Eno-esque pastiche, there is never a dull moment; as we reach the track Blowing Through the Mansion of a 1930's Film Star.
A swirling effect/sensation makes this almost hypnotic until the introduction of a strummed guitar which has the effect of a very appealing and interesting counterpoint, against the this background. Happy Endings closes the CD and you realize that Gilt Trip is a great soundtrack for almost any imagineable type of listening activity !!!
Aside from the multiple exclamation marks at the end, which Terry Pratchett describes as "the sure sign of a sick mind", it's a good description of the album.
Total running time is 52:25. Album is catalogued as VSC004.
Michael Bromley
Now that i have had a little (ie lot) of time to listen to Gilt Trip, i think that the music is fantastic. Once again the depth and intricacy of the layers and layers of subtle instruments is the most strinking effect. Some of the songs conjure up images of a bladerunneresque techno slanted world, whilst others purvey a dark and disturbing gothic world (with a similar effect to Trent Reznor's ambient efforts on the 'Quake gametrack')...and of course others defy a simple image to pidgeon-hole them into, shifting and altering along with the listeners change of moods.
Ahhh, if only all music was as wonderful as this.
brom
Blatherbop
i've been completely submerged in GILT TRIP for a week now,..only sporadically rising to the surface of the delicious darkness to draw in a deep breath of air and inhale an occasional oatmeal cookie or batch of fresh fungus-laced pasta.............
Matt Green
gilt trip is something entirely different, and something entirely wonderful. if any of you had thought "ambient? no thanks.", well, think again ... i wouldn't describe it as particularly ambient .. too much rhythm through out the entire thing... however, i don't have a better word to describe what it's like. "get it." will have to suffice for now
David Rundle
gilt trip- save best for last!!!!! its dark bloody dark in here and i'm scared of the ghosts blowing through the mansion of a 1930's film star. on my second straight listen. music has just entered a new dimension.
listen to these track names
gilt trip the onset tragic mandarin love story eyes smeared with the ointment of love neither sun,nor moon,nor electricity
darkness and gardens of steel dress circle seats for creation happy endings
to all you overseas people i am truly sorry you have to wait an extra couple of days.
when will these guys get what they deserve??? it has to happen you can't just keep churning out classics like this and not get noticed.
regards david rundle
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