SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DRAGONFLIES – DRAGONFLIES

DRAGONFLIES
DRAGONFLIES
DARK HORSE RECORDS/BMG

Dragonflies is the duo of Dhani Harrison and Nigel Godrich, who began working together after Harrison reached out to Godrich for guidance on what would become Harrison’s most recent solo album Innerstanding. This led to the two working together on other music and a new project was born. Dragonflies have produced a very mellow and heavy album that is really meant to be listened to and your focus. These are not background songs to be played at a dinner party, but rather sonic excursions that will envelop the listener. Both artists are very talented in their own right and have worked with many musicians in the past. Dragonflies may have come together unintentionally, but the end result is pure intentional art.

The music is very layered and yet sparse at the same time. The duo leaves a great deal of space in the music, but they have managed to layer sounds and music. Some songs, like “Heart Or Head,” rely on complex rhythm and a brilliant rhythm section. Godrich’s turned to his bands Ultraísta and Atoms for Peace to employ bandmate Joey Waronker on additional percussion, and it adds a great deal to the songs. It leads perfectly to “Ophelia,” which features very strong vocals and a wonderful vocal arrangement. A great deal of this album requires multiple listening before it can really be appreciated.

The duo wears some of their influences on their sleeves, such as their first single, “Slower,” which has traces of David Sylvian drifting through it. Elsewhere, Toronto’s own composer/arranger David Campbell adds a great deal of depth and sonic surprises in songs such as “The Weight”. The opening song, “Slower,” sets the album into the direction these two wanted to go and this leads to all sorts of twists and turns. The music is not chill, but nor is it in your face rock ‘n’ roll. It is very layered and has a meditative quality to it.

The album ends with “End Of World,” an appropriate song to bring the album to a close. It does have hints of Ryuichi Sakamoto. It is the combination of the different influences and experiences of both of these musicians that create their own unique, sometimes dark, sound. While Harrison does sing of spirituality and hope, the music is surrounded by darkness and the dragonflies (a symbol for spiritual enlightenment) light the way. It is beautifully written.

Harrison was able to focus on his guitar and vocals with this album. Godrich took over keyboards and other sounds. This allowed a great deal of freedom for both artists and in the end the collaboration is quite sublime. Dragonflies is a deceptively complicated album, well worth exploring and enjoying. It is an album that grows on the listener and with each listen something new is discovered. It is a brilliant album.

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