Product Description

The music of Six Organs of Admittance is gauzy, lilting, and gently psychedelic. centred on the quietly mesmerising acoustic-guitar patterns of Ben Chasny (Comets on Fire), SCHOOLOF THE FLOWER, the band's Drag City debut, plays like the soundtrack to the nebulous zone between sleeping and waking. The initial avant-garde drum clatter and white noise of "Eighth Cognition/All You've Left" gives way to a quiet murmur, and Chasny's under-the-radar singing floats in, sounding somehow comforting and ghostly at once.
The rest of the album follows suit, from delicate ballads like "Words for Two" to such alluring, John Fahey-inspired guitar journeys as "Saint Cloud" (in which an ominous vocal and an electric drone gradually emerge beneath the tender main passage). The album's centrepiece is the 13-minute-plus title track, which loopsan acoustic phrase, then gradually surrounds it with a subdued chaos of drums and distorted guitar solos, before its elegant return to the lone melody. Even at its most sonically dense, SCHOOL OF THE FLOWER is as light and buoyant as a leaf in the wind, resulting in a fresh, thoroughly appealing slice of psychedelia-tinged folk.

Track Listing

1. Eight Cognition
2. All You've Left
3. Words For Two
4. Saint Cloud
5. Procession Of Cherry Blossom Spirits
6. Home
7. School Of The Flower
8. Thicker Than A Smokey
9. Lisbon

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6753 in Music
• Released on: 2005-01-24
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Unpretentious and Stunning Music
I must say that my knowledge of Six Organs of Admittance, one of several current Ben Chasny's musical incarnations, was rather limited before I submerged in this album. I did read a number of people whom I trust who declared this music something special, which along with the few songs I listened to from prior albums, finally, made buy this album.
I'm elated to have made that choice, because the music contained here is nothing less than wondrous, the work of a rich mind and an exquisite guiter player.
At times trance-like Western ragas, if you will -particularly in "Procession of Cherry Blossom Spirits"- and then simply gorgeous folk -"Lisboa"- which can also erupt into furious electric interludes -"School Of The Flower"- or be enriched with great vocals, like "Thicker Than A Smokey."
It is not that easy to describe, nor are Chasny's influences that obvious. I guess this is what happens when someone ventures and succeeds at making original music.
If I were to name other people, for the sake of reference, John Fahey would come to mind, yet not so much due to a similar guitar style but because of a common gift for conjuring up a powerful spirit.
All in all, an authentic and imaginative new sound, music -thinking of this album's title- that is definitely schooled in the wildness and beauty of flowers.

feeling disenchanted? - you obviously dont own this album.
If your life has turned somewhat lacklustre as of late, its probably because this album is missing from it. Compared to other avanues which their work has explored (im talking of incorporating stuff with bells and wind chimes here...) this album takes a much more conventional approach, yet nevertheless still musically adept with more than a slight nod to Fahey-esq guitar serenity, complete with delicately cast vocals all wreathed in atmosphere. If ever there was beauty with convention this would mount the essence of it. Truly enchanting.