Review Summary: There is something exciting and new about the music on this record, something that goes far beyond the 'Opiates'. It is the impression of a perfect band playing together in a musical realm that is as close to perfect beauty as it could be.
Really didn't think this would happen again ... I mean to discover an album that leaves you grateful for living long enough to do so. Last time this was 1991 with Talk Talks unearthly brilliant 'Laughing Stock'. I somehow I kind of accepted this was it. Such density yet airiness such space and the importance of any single tone you will come to hear. When even the creak of Mark Hollis' chair seems to have its role in the music.
Then I saw the trailer for the Exit North album "Book of Romance and Dust" a few weeks ago - and I knew something great was going to come. The trailer is already a piece of art on itself. Just perfect. Ok, but only a trailer cut together from a whole album. So I couldn't wait to get my copy this record and find out if the whole record is that great.
And now its here. And I'm lost. These nine pieces of music just left me speechless and I'm still struggling when I try to explain the grandeur of the music.
In 2008 Thomas Feiner put a milestone into the desert of music industry. The 'Opiates' was nothing less but the explicit claim to define deep romantic music anew. A jewel that withstood time. And many enchanted fans around the globe deeply hoped for more all these years. Feiner released a few songs on his bandcamp-page from collaborations with Steve Jansen (David Sylvians brother and Japan companion) or Fyfe Dangerfield - all fantastic and like a dessert after the 'Opiates'.
But it makes sense that ten years later we hear Feiner's voice on an complete album again - only that the record is not labeled a Thomas Feiner record. There is something exciting and new about the music on this record, something that goes far beyond the 'Opiates'. It is the impression of a perfect band playing together in a musical realm that is as close to perfect beauty as it could be.
The collaborateus on Exit North (Steve Jansen, Thomas Feiner, Charles Storm, Ulf Jansson) seem to agree perfectly on which tone is needed and which is not. There is never too much of something and on the other hand: Every yearning is met first-grade. Especially the very subtle entanglement of electronic sounds and acoustic instruments (Guitar, trumpet cello etc.) is admirable. Steve Jansen is doing a fantastic job when it comes to subtle drums and percussions.
Grab your headphones, take your time, spend an evening with this record and: be ready to cry.
