Emphemetry
A Lullaby Hum For Tired Streets

Are you looking for an album that can accompany you during moments of reflection, happy moments, sad ones, loving and hateful ones? I wanted one, and that’s what I found in a work with a certainly intriguing title: A Lullaby For Tired Streets. Have you heard of Richard Birkin? I suppose not; I didn’t know who he was until a couple of weeks ago either. Do you know Crash of Rhinos? No!? No worries (but do listen to them), because Emphemetry and Crash of Rhinos have nothing to do with each other, aside from the fact that Birkin, besides being Emphemetry, is also one of the guitarists/vocalists of Crash of Rhinos.

The album? Well, I won’t be tedious! It consists of pieces of varying lengths that brush against, touch, and explore different genres: there are atmospheric pieces, almost ambient (noteworthy is the opening track: After Catalunya), and singer-songwriter-folkish pieces, whatever that means (So Long Magic Helper, and Isaac’s Dream of Tired Streets are examples), with hints here and there of post-rock, "of course not!” you might say, hearing everything repetitive and effected defined as post-rock, but there it is. It must be said, though, that despite the various inspirations, the album remains cohesive, it has its own connecting thread. Yes, cohesive, to the point that piece after piece, you quickly realize you’ve already reached the end, and that more than half an hour has already passed.