Gwenifer Raymond
Last Night I Heard The Dog Star Bark

Although she sounds more American than apple pie, Gwenifer Raymond hails from Wales; as a child, she trained on a Nevermind cassette and decided to pick up the guitar and explore the music of that country, tracing it back to its deepest and most ancestral roots.

That said, I must admit I know little about American primitivism; what I can say is that this Last Night I Heard the Dog Star Bark stands out on two levels. The first is the undeniable guitar virtuosity (and more) of this young woman, which could amaze, interest, and win over anyone who plays the instrument, even just for fun. The second is the distinctive atmosphere Raymond manages to create—an atmosphere that is anything but light or carefree, and instead often feels dark, brooding, almost gothic; the artist layers over layers of unrestrained plucked strings for an album of stunning intensity, demanding the listener’s attention and sweeping them off into the mystical and menacing nights of that forgotten and battered region called Appalachia. No singing, no percussion, just a raging river of guitar pouring into the muddy delta of the Mississippi. Yet, it’s not all about negative emotions: the closing track, though sometimes jagged, carries a wonderful taste of autumn that soothes after the storm.

I’m done; now I need a good breath of fresh air... Silence will make noise... Fuck...

See you next time.