Elfin Saddle is another sign of the diversification of the Constellation label away from its bedrock family of art- and post-rock bands, and 'Ringing For The Begin Again' is the latest in a short string of releases that step away from the label's stalwart artists (Do Make Say Think, Silver Mt Zion, Fly Pan Am and their many associates) in favouring of bringing some new names to the fore. The musical project of artistic and real-life partners Jordan McKenzie and Emi Honda, Elfin Saddle betrays some of the same interests as the label's earlier Black Ox Orkestar releases, with its rootsy, ethnic folk stylings, albeit this time travelling further east to Emi's Japanese homeland for some of its influences. A breadth of acoustic drones, bells, bass, strings and percussion meld with Jordan's English and Emi's Japanese vocals to give much of the album an intimately mystical feel. Even with its handful of still skewed, but more pop-oriented stompers, the album has the definite sense of being a musical realisation of the odd but endearing, finely-crafted, otherworldly miniatures that Jordan and Emi construct together and that adorn the album's sleeve.'Ringing For The Begin Again' is available now on Constellation.
Elfin Saddle
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