Postcards, seed bookmarks, graphic novels, music scores, research magazines, a fully-working record player, a Perspex ice sculpture and an academic thesis have all been components of music released on the singular Difficult Art and Music/DAAM label. Now this spikey, unconventional imprint has delivered ‘The Talking Castle’, a new novel and soundtrack combo to upend our expectations.
The book, by the mysterious A.C.Fayler, promises to distort the Famous Five/Secret Seven template and redress the classic adventure story in a darker gothic cloak. It’s subtitle, ‘A Very English Children’s Story About Death’ says it all. If you can imagine an irresistible concoction of Enid Blyton, M.R. James and H.P.Lovecraft then you’ll dare to read further. That’s what synth duo Near Minerals did and now their musical response to Fayler’s tale is available from DAAM to add another dimension to ‘The Talking Castle’ release.
As a soundtrack Near Minerals ensure that their inventive synth-based episodes accumulate to build both narrative and atmosphere. At times fractious and fragmented, at others tuneful and uplifting, the duo use repetition and solid melodic themes to keep up the momentum. An Animals, my liege, the opening section of the album, has a shimmering, childlike magic in its gently progressing melody. The piece might ease you in gently to this otherworld but there are unsettling twinges floating about. A distorted edge to the synth tones, the sound of rain drips and whispers, faint chimes in distance, all dull the sunny sparkle. By the time Sixty Slaves For Sixty Oars segues in the calm quickly dissipates. This is more granulated, abstract electronica, a tolling bass note merging into a low-toned pulsating drone.
Crucially though that initial melodic intent returns throughout the album like a light in a shape-shifting tunnel. On The Castle in the north, the theme strides out regally in an expansive almost orchestral gesture before hovering around an elongated tone. The sprightly Mitzi’s Waltz then bounces in, momentarily playful before disappearing in a cavernous chamber of fluttering synths. The closing track Little Annie brings dashes of House euphoria and New Age chill to the chiming synths while suggesting a sense of resolution.
Around these moments of proto-electronica, different sonic apparitions spook ‘The Talking Castle’. For Duke In Chains the hiss of synths threaten to speak while a tip-toeing arpeggio creeps tentatively within the eerie squall. The brittle electronic collages of L’arbre rouge and God’s telescope have the abrasive ingenuity of early Abul Mogard creations while What Is Your Velocity? references the tidal scale and volcanic power of Lawrence English’s soundscapes. There’s even room for some retro- synth peeps, bleeps and flutters in the scurrying pandemonium of Sugar Rats Go To War.
What’s impressive about Near Minerals’ minimal approach on ‘The Talking Castle’ is not just the range but the drama that they manage to create. Like any worthwhile soundtrack this one works impressively as a stand-alone listen but in the company of the novel, a whole dimension to Near Minerals’ tantalising music will be opened up…and that’s just how things should be.
Get your copy of ‘The Talking Castle‘ by Near Minerals and the accompanying novel from Difficult Art And Music HERE
