Album Review

Steve Adey – The Tower Of Silence

• 21st Nov 2012

Englishman Steve Adey’s second album was recorded in a 19th century Edinburgh church. A man who likes to do things differently, Adey’s music is lo-fi and folky with added synths creating a real mix of old and new. His rich, deep voice is the main instrument in his work though, and the evocative vocals really stand out over the at times stark musical backing.

Coming six years after Adey’s acclaimed debut album All Things Real it is good to hear some new music from a man who has been through both serious illness and a car crash in the intervening years. There is a mournful feel to much of this album, and it can be difficult listening at times because of its sheer intensity. But there are several real gems amongst the ten tracks that showcase Adey’s great voice perfectly.

The Field is perhaps the standout track, a sombre piano picking out the melody with Adey’s wonderfully passionate vocals backed by Helena McGilp’s lovely clear voice, a really fine contrast. It’s a very moving song and builds to a lovely climax. Laughing also features McGilp, the lightness of her voice combining with Adey’s dark lead vocal to add real beauty to the song. The one cover on the album, folk singer Alasdair Roberts’ Farewell Sorrow, is also lovely. The feeling of loss created is touching and the distraught lyrics are delivered in a fashion that emphasises the regret superbly.

Some of the other tracks are very similar and almost merge into each other. Adey’s voice has an understated power and with minimal backing the religious undertones and symbolism of Secret Place, for example, doesn’t really stand out in a way that its rich lyrics deserve.

There are also two very different instrumental tracks on the album. The opening A Few Seconds Have Passed is an experimental synth and sample track which is rather out of place here. But the other worldly With Tongues, which features plucked guitar, slow drums and Helena McGilp’s high chanted wail works very well.

This is an unusual album and while not instantly accessible it is well worth persevering with. The lo-fi tape hums here and there add to its charm and the superb songwriting needs to be studied to be fully appreciated. Steve Adey has created something very different and while it doesn’t always work perfectly there are enough high points to make The Tower Of Silence a good album overall.

Venue: The Tower Of Silence
Support Band: Grand Harmonium Records