Rebel Peasant- The Walls Of The Well
9/10

As the fourth member of the Phoenix Foundation to release a solo album, Richie Singleton has waited, like a lot of good drummers, for the spotlight to shift away from his band mates. Singleton has stepped up to the plate with this release; a dark, moody journey into the psychedelic world blending dub, ambient pop, noise and tribal rhythms. With help from his Foundation brothers and members of Wellington’s musical elite (including The Black Seeds, Hikoikoi, Cassette, Fat Freddy’s Drop and Little Bushman), Rebel Peasant exposes a sparse array of ambient instrumental music that crosses the genres and casts a dreamy, ghost-like spell into the cold winter air. The Walls Of The Well sounds nothing like the music heard from any of the previously mentioned bands and that’s what makes it stand out. Singleton has been able to craft his own musical experience that’s totally foreign in its natural environment, but that at the same time fits in so perfectly. No singular song stands out from the album, instead they all weave themselves into a long chain. Few albums work well as both background music and as a smooth, direct-to the-ear listen, but The Walls Of The Well  fits into both situations; whether motionless or active, it’s spellbinding.
Nick

 

Posted by Nick Fulton under Album, Reviews
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