Afterlives

A Ticking Clock I Couldn't Stop.

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Afterlives is outsider art. What that means in this case, in terms of songwriting, is that it was recorded without preconceptions, without preparation, by someone who had never previously written music, never played in a band. It was both spontaneous and labored-over, and the result is something truly moving.

Afterlives, or William Barrett, began recording almost as an after-thought, but things developed a life of their own. These songs are dark and noisy, lush and soothing, sometimes upbeat, sometimes bleak. There’s a shared landscape here; the songs fit, even when they don’t.

Stylistically, the music recalls Deftones and Modest Mouse and My Bloody Valentine, as well as other hyper-personal bedroom projects like Atlas Sound or even those early Iron and Wine demos. You feel like the singer is whispering to you, even when things get loud and chaotic; you feel like someone is telling you a secret, showing you a chest full of tapes they’ve been making for years, revealing something unexpected. These songs are letters from someone to someone else, and a listener often feels that they’re eavesdropping on a hushed conversation. Which is really the best of what home recording has to offer you.

This is what outsider art is supposed to be about: a fresh perspective, new sounds, personal connections. This isn’t a “band;” its not even really an “album.” Its like someone had their chest opened up, and now you can look inside and learn what they’re really about. It doesn’t leave you after you’re done listening. It makes you wonder what you would sound like, if you just started recording and let yourself happen.

Reviews

Taken in its entirety, Afterlives’ debut is both brave and perturbed, weaving noisy experimentation with intimate, heart-tugging revelation. While its highlights are distinct, the entire work should be admired for its artistic abandon and honesty. The crackling home-recording aesthetic has offered Mr. Barett a unique vehicle to expose his darkest demons. For those fascinated by the post-rock amalgamations of Have a Nice Life, be sure to track down this brother project. – The Rock Blogger, www.therockblogger.com

A grower, certainly, Afterlives’ A Ticking Clock I Couldn’t Stop matches its moments of plaintive isolationism with enough genuine harmonies to compel even casual listeners. Pushing through the rumbling distortion of tracks like “Snake Swallows Tail” or trekking along with the patient stride of “Distance Runner” offers ample aural reward and showcases an impressive, if reluctant talent for sonic architecture. These are songs that feel like they’ve belonged to me at some point, and every kid too embarrassed or untested to ever try their hand at music will feel a similar kinship with the all-too-human pleas rising out of the gleaming release of “Fireworks”. Though a late-comer to music, much admiration is due to William Barrett for his willingness to share the private ghost-concerts and skeletons of songs that came to him at night…he’s provided not only a soundtrack, but also inspiration for the countless individuals that reach out for something substantial to hold close as they try to drift into sleep. – Michael Britten, www.adequacy.net

Consisting of oft harmonised, sometimes wavering but always powerful vocals delivered over varying guitar work and powerful atmospherics this is an experimental album that will hold wide appeal among those who invest time in it. Every acoustic strum, moment of near ambience or periods of rising cacophonous droning mould into an almost overbearing melting pot of musical brilliance and artistic abandon. This is a strikingly original first release; created by a man who stunningly had never before tried his hand at music. – Kane Cooper, www.sputnikmusic.com

Trouvé sur AfterThePostRock accompagné d’une description pas des plus convaincantes, j’ai néanmoins été attiré à bien des égards : tout d’abord, Afterlives est sur EnemiesList, label de Have A Nice Life & co, ensuite l’imagerie et le concept ne sont pas si éloignés de ces derniers, et ensuite la voix, la voix, mais c’est celle de Dan Barrett de Have A Nice Life! Toujours cette ambiance et cette voix qui vous persuade presque d’aller chercher dans le garage une corde et un tabouret…En fait, à la question que ne j’ai pas posé, oui et non, parce que ce n’est pas Dan Barrett mais son frère Will Barrett que l’on entend ici. On ne saurait dire si c’est de famille ou si c’est l’influence de son frère, ou les 2; quoiqu’il en soit, c’est son premier opus, et foutrement classe. – sawlight.blogspot.com