Hammers and Anvils by Graeme Downes

Producers: Graeme Downes, Peter Van Der Fluit, Michael O'Neil. Engineers: Graeme Downes, Peter Van Der Fluit, Michael O'Neil. Recording information: Liquid Studios, Auckland, New Zealand (01/1999-01/2000); Studio 45 (01/1999-01/2000). Photographers: Gob; Jo. Known for his impressionistic work with the Verlaines, Downes has on his first solo album stripped his band's portentous musical intricacies to unearth a core of pent-up inspiration. Having not put out an album since 1997, Downes seems to have had a lot of time to let things filter through a creative prism and crystalize as refined, elegant rock. His spiralling cries can seem a bit strained on some tracks but, for the most part, they complement his signature layered guitar and odd chord changes. Downes has sampled all parts here (except guitar and vocals), so the spontaneity of playing with a band, one of the Verlaines' strong points, is lost, but in some ways he manages to work this handicap in his favor, exerting the omniscient creative control of ...

Key Information
Number of Discs		1
Artist		Graeme Downes
Record Label		Matador (record label)
Genre		Rock and Pop
Subgenre		Post Rock
Release Date		August 28, 2001
Song List: Disc 1