The Angels Of Light
We Are Him

"We are free, we are Him"

This latest work by Michael Gira, now converted to folk songwriting (yet still animated by his usual dark ghosts), is all about ambivalence.

It speaks of Joseph, an evanescent yet present thinking soul hidden behind. Behind the thought, behind the word. He controls our creative act (or do we unconsciously invoke Him?). Are we slaves because he sets us free, or are we free because we belong to him?

Complementary contradictions. There is something flowing in the subconscious and guiding us against the current.

"Black river runs, beneath this ground / Black river flows forever but he makes no sound"

The mystery. The cosmic resignation of the monstrous/splendid "White Light From The Mouth Of Infinity" is here softened halfway between a dream and a prayer. The mystery is sinister, dark, and unsettling, but one should not fear it ("because nothing is real").

It is a painting of deeply human impressions. Accompanied by Akron/Family, he paints a sequence of small bitter confessions. Whether he's dueting with his wife in "Not Here/Not Now", howling at an underground moon ("Promise Of Water"), or moderately fooling around in a swift country style ("Mary Lou, Fuck You").

There is blues, there is country, there is (inner) desert. And Nick Cave. The compositions are based on repetition and moderation. Having left behind the uncontrolled violence of his early years with Swans, Gira is now a polite gentleman who expertly modulates the expression of emotions.

"There's always things that can't be said / but Joseph holds the key to them"

A record that can speak (silently) to the soul ("This record is for Joseph, who is in every song").