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Dinosaur: Wonder Trail
ByWhilst Dinosaur's Together, As One received universal plaudits, it was always going to be a challenge to produce the proverbial "difficult second album." Not in this case however. Leader/composer Jurd with her band of co-virtuosos have now pulled-off what might be considered a masterpiece. "Renewal (Part I)" opens with a dramatic crescendo, virtually reversing the last note of The Beatles's "A Day In The Life." The track is dominated by Elliot Galvin's synthesizer arrangements which seem boundless in their creativity. "Quiet Thunder" is a classic example of tension and release, beginning subtly and heralded by an insouciantly fleeting bass lick, then exploding into a convulsively heavy riff. Some of the tracks are augmented by uncredited vocals. "Shine Your Light" benefits from ethereal background singing, and the folk-inspired "Set Free," adorned with simple but poignant lyrics, is affectingly moving. Jurd's pastiche trumpet line on "Old Times' Sake" almost channelling "There Is A Happy Land," is rapidly juxtaposed with Conor Chaplin's ferocious fuzz bass, to dazzling effect.
One difference from Dinosaur's previous album is that Elliot Galvin is credited with playing synthesizers (in the plural) only, as opposed to his usual array of instruments encompassing synthesizer, organ, keyboard, piano and toys. However, even with this ostensibly restricted focus, there's no perceivable loss of harmonic or tonal colour, Galvin's presence being as vital and ingenious as ever; exemplified by his contribution to the majestic "Swimming" for proof. On the Milesian "Renewal (Part I)" Jurd's sublime trumpet is interspersed with Galvin's pyrotechnic electronica in a kind of "fours" from hell. The closer is "And Still We Wonder" with mesmerizingly chanting voices, Terry Riley-esque accompaniment and more vibrant trumpet soloing. With constant (and addictive) replays, the kaleidoscopic characteristic of the tunes is apparent, revealing ever-more enchanting moments. These musicians know exactly what they're doing and their natural inclination is to push the envelope rather than regurgitate old tropes, and for that fact alone Miles surely would have approved. This isn't merely Jurd's best album to date, it's indubitably one of the best albums of the year.
Track Listing
Renewal (Part I); Quiet Thunder; Shine Your Light; Forgive, Forget; Old Times' Sake; Set Free; Swimming; Renewal (Part II); And Still We Wonder.
Personnel
Laura Jurd
trumpetLaura Jurd: trumpet, synthesizer; Elliot Galvin: synthesizers; Conor Chaplin: electric bass; Corrie Dick: drums.
Album information
Title: Wonder Trail | Year Released: 2018 | Record Label: Edition Records
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