Caural

Stars On My Ceiling

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Editor's Review:

Caural's latest album, Stars On My Ceiling, is an involved and undefined work similar to the likes of Fourtet, Mira Calix and (predominantly) Prefuse 73… Stunted vocals, background noise, organic drums, playful guitars, melodic pianos and phone conversations preside over most of the album, creating a rich, but often frantic and indulgent showcase.
"All These Todays Just Melt into Tomorrows" weaves desperate sounds alongside a wide array of samples and percussion. The track is manic and fragmented. Backward music and cramped vocals create an odd, cluttered soundscape setting the tone for the entire album. "Stick to Modeling" features similar types of juxtaposition; an ongoing theme where Caural combines and introduces new melodies and samples throughout the track, but anchors it with a theme that is used again on the next track.
This is perhaps the album's best attribute. The distinction between sounds isn't based on song, but rather on idea, mood and direction. Caural will modulate, flip and break throughout a song, but will then carry over various aspects from track to track. This personalized device suggests that Stars on My Ceiling is to be listened to in its entirety. The downside is that with all the changes, Caural dabbles and touches on so many different forms of expression that the album feels forced, like he wanted to use everything that was at his disposal no matter what the result would be.
While Stars on My Ceiling is an interesting album from start to finish, the large breaks of silence on the last two tracks, and the constant flood of new sound gives the feel of an artist unable to find a clear voice. It's as though he tries everything, and is unable to specialize in anything.
- Rust
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