CoC : Steve Von Till - As the Crow Flies : Review

Steve Von Till - _As the Crow Flies_
(Neurot Recordings, 2000)
by: Pedro Azevedo (8 out of 10)

Neurosis member Steve Von Till goes solo with this home-recorded album of minimalist, sombre, acoustic music. In addition to using his own deep, tranquil voice, he also plays acoustic guitar and piano, whilst some guests (including Kris Force from Amber Asylum) contribute with other instruments, such as cello and violin. The music has an overall sense of calmness, and the tranquil, sombre beauty throughout the record is as likely to be deeply appreciated and absorbed by some listeners as the album's minimalism is likely to lull some listeners to sleep. Soothing and very adequate for melancholic rainy days, _As the Crow Flies_ is an unpretentious album that does not pander to any trends and does not try to make itself especially marketable in conventional ways; and as far as I'm concerned, that makes it all the more attractive. Granted, this is not a record I'll be listening to several times a day or anything like that, but it still definitely is one whose quality and personality ensure that I'll be enjoying it whenever the time is right.

(article published 25/10/2000)