Sean Altrui’s Candle Horn Churchyard

Upon entering the Candle Horn Churchyard, you are confronted with moderately-paced meandering saxophone lines whose sweet sentiments persuade you to take further steps into the jungle of sound. The droning beat and long-toned bass lines also placate the listener and lure you into the depths of Bauhaus-like vocals and sparse electric guitar. This sweet and sour contrast is a river running through the foundation of Sean Altrui’s 2001 solo effort, though the front cover illustrations of fleshy plan life shows no obvious signs of hydration. While the music in many instances contains major chord progressions in the experimental rock vein, the vocals often push against this optimism, much like early, obscure Pink Floyd records (though not nearly as complex). There are even well orchestrated background speeches, whistles and sirens that are also rather Floyd-esque. Throughout the CD, trickles of slow rising synthesizer echo their compliments as if behind a veil of cascading vines and clean and processed guitars take obstinate roles against powerful, provoking lyrics that speak of depression and war among other topics. At times percussion takes up the call of the jungle that is the Churchyard, transporting you to a far away pagan land that carries with it an air of anxiety. Overall the disc is a well-produced, ambitious work that is a refreshing combination of the retro and modern world and a testament to the paradox that contrasting elements are necessary to definition.