Quiet River of Dust, Vol. 2

by Richard Reed Parry, Quiet River of Dust

Overview

The second half of the Arcade Fire singer/songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist's ambitious Quiet River of Dust project, That Side of the River takes a step back from the mercurial, worldbeat-tinged psych-pop of its predecessor in favor of a more measured and linear ambient-folk approach. Released to coincide with the summer solstice -- the previous volume arrived via the autumn equinox -- the ten-track set is both meditative and quietly dramatic. Anchored by Parry's cosmic musings, monastic melodies, and even-keeled voice, songs like "Lost in the Waves," "Cups in the Ocean," and "Throw a Cup of Water" -- this is a wet record -- are as ASMR friendly as they are heady. Parry keeps the progressive rock vibe that he established on Volume One going strong throughout the LP's just-under-45-minute runtime, though things tend to hew closer to the bucolic (early King Crimson and Yes) end of the spectrum. His predilection towards pairing indie pop-kissed Albion folk with traditional Japanese music is less apparent this time around, with soft piano and shimmering electronics providing the bulk of the sonic architecture. In opting for a ruminative approach, Parry has crafted more of a guided meditation than a cosmopolitan fun house, resulting in a collection of songs that often feel less tangible than those that populated its antecedent. Still, it's an ambitious work that is undeniably widescreen, but far removed from the grandiose chamber rock of his meal-ticket band. It celebrates family, self, friendship, and the existential pain and wonder of life. It seeks rather than spells things out, and in doing so manages to feel equally rooted in the past, present, and future. ~ James Christopher Monger

Product Details

Release Date:	06/21/2019
Label:	Anti-
UPC:	0045778763313
Rank:	163019

Tracks

1. The Fiddlers Play
2. Lost in the Waves
3. In a Moment
4. Where Did I Go
5. It's All Around You
6. Cups in the Ocean
7. Throw a Cup of Water
8. Heaeven for Meg
9. A Few Last Things
10. Long Way Back

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Richard Reed Parry   Primary Artist,Bells,Casio,Drums,Piano,Guitar,Voices,Accordion,Keyboards,Xylophone,Percussion,Scratching,Double Bass,Synthesizer,Drum Machine,Fender Rhodes,Bass (Upright),Synthesizer Bass,Guitar (Baritone),Guitar (Electric)
Quiet River of Dust   Primary Artist
Aaron Dessner   Synthesizer,Guitar (Electric)
Nico Muhly   Dulcitone
Dallas Good   Guitar,Voices,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Yuka Honda   Voices
Pietro Amato   Keyboards,French Horn
Stefan Schneider   Drums,Shaker,Cymbals,Percussion
Grit Laskin   Northumbrian Smallpipes
Stuart Bogie   Flute,Clarinet
Ian Robb   Concertina
Laurence Stevenson   Fiddle
Amedeo Pace   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Guitar (Electric Nylon String)
Laurel Sprengelmeyer   Voices,Keyboards,Moog Synthesizer,Synthesizer Bass
Corwin Fox   Voices,Choir/Chorus
Deirdre O'Leary   Clarinet

Technical Credits

Tchad Blake   Mixing
Aaron Dessner   Producer
Jordy Walker   Engineer,Additional Production
Dallas Good   Composer,Feedback,Additional Production
Yuka Honda   Monologue,Translation
Pietro Amato   Engineer,Additional Production
Marcus Paquin   Mixing,Engineer,Additional Production
Richard Reed Parry   Composer,Engineer,Lyricist,Producer,Photography,Field Recording
Tim Vesely   Engineer
Grit Laskin   Arranger
Stuart Bogie   Arranger
Ian Robb   Arranger
Tracy Maurice   Artwork,Photography,Graphic Design
Laurence Stevenson   Arranger
Amedeo Pace   Feedback
Laurel Sprengelmeyer   Composer,Engineer,Lyricist,Paintings,Additional Production
Michael Dubue   Engineer
Hans Bernhard   Engineer,Additional Production
Corwin Fox   Arranger,Engineer,Additional Production
Frederique Gagnon   Graphic Design
Caleb Wood   Animation
Quiet River of Dust   Composer