Knitting By Twilight - "Riding The Way Back" Review

Artist/ Band: Knitting By Twilight
Title: Riding The Way Back
Label: It's Twilight Time
Year of Release: 2009
Offical Artist/ Band Link

The Review:

Knitting By Twilight latest EP release Riding The Way Back, is according to John Orsi, comprised of material that just didn’t fit in with any of the band’s previous release An Evening Out Of Town. One thing I noticed right away is that it has characteristics similar to John’s other band, Herd Of Mers than anything done by Knitting By Twilight. Another thing noteworthy is the album barely clocks in 20 minutes but in that short period of time they cover what bands could do in double or triple the time. . All of which have that haunting experimental vibe to it. They’re one of the very few forward thinking bands that can be characterized by the definition of progressive.

From the opening "Shiver" and “Mik’s Glacier” which both have qualities that are akin to the direction of the Wetton-era King Crimson mixed in with California Guitar Trio format. The music changes gears to an almost free-form jazz on “She’s Here” to an electronic based composition on "Blue Ink for Fountain Pens.". Ending the EP is "Twirling Guitars and Glad Tambourines" which has a tribal world beat to it and as the title says “twirling guitars”.

Knitting By Twilight’s music is an acquired taste only because of the orchestral based compositions that require several listens to fully appreciate it. If you’re familiar with the band, then I’d say it’s something that needs to be in your collection ASAP! I would also recommend Riding The Way Back to fans of experimental and possibly minimalist music. Even though it’s not a full length album, it deserves to be among the best 2009 has to offer.

Reviewed by Ron Fuchs on December 9th, 2009

Tracks:

01. Shiver

02. Milk's Glacier

03. She's Here

04. Blue Ink For Foutain Pens (alternate version)

05. Twirling Guitars And Glad Tambourines

Reviewed Discography

Related reviews by this artist/band at ProgNaut.com.