Woven Hand
The Laughing Stalk

THE REVIEW

He's back after 3 years of silence, except for "Black of the Ink", a CD and book containing the essence of the musical preachings of David Eugene Edwards, his lyrics largely inspired by religion and the ethnic conflicts of his Colorado at the appearance of the white settlers. An interesting release, which anticipated the sixth studio work of Woven Hand, his second project after 16 Horsepower.

It was eagerly awaited, with that aura of mystery that leaves little news to fans and the curious. David Eugene Edwards, the undisputed soul of Woven Hand, is not someone who easily allows journalists to approach him, nor does he like being under the incandescent lights of the limelight. So solitary and introverted that few knew about the line-up change, with the entry of Chuck French on guitar and Gregory Garcia on bass.

Do you remember DEE's liturgies in past albums? His folkish, spiritual, acoustic openings? In "The Laughing Stalk," everything becomes more oppressive, infernal: the shamans' dance turns fierce and the nine tracks of this CD are the soundtrack of the lost world of Native Americans, in a visceral crossing of traditions, legends, and religion. A darker and "metallic" work (if you'll allow the term) than any other piece ever produced by the band. The initial explosive thrust of "Long Horn" already throws us into this whirlwind, with a sound more robust and dense than what we've heard before. A choice also shared by producer Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten), who has given this Woven Hand branded album a more incisive depth. Even the title track emphasizes this aspect, even moving in the vocal lines masterfully interpreted by Edwards, capable like perhaps no one else to render an interpretation of this type theatrical and evocative.

An album for headphones, to capture every single variation: every guitar incision brings with it a scenario of those sun-drenched American lands entered into the collective imagination with western films, every drumbeat is a step towards the horizons of the Colorado prairies. "Maize" is the peak of a way of conceiving music that leads Edwards to venture into dark, unexplored paths. A "physical" country, that thumps with the incessant and hammering roll of the drums in the background, a tribal accompaniment of a voice out of time. Every element is in its place, the divine monster fighting itself.

Spirituality and tradition, stories, sun, legends of a lost world. The Bible of David Eugene Edwards has reopened, has spoken again, then has closed again. What he chanted is contained in the nine pieces of "The Laughing Stalk". The stalk laughs, at least for the moment. Amen.

1. "Long Horn" (4:55)
2. "The Laughing Stalk" (5:02)
3. "In The Temple" (5:14)
4. "King O King" (4:17)
5. "Closer" (3:17)
6. "Maize" (4:05)
7. "Coup Stick" (4:28)
8. "As Wool" (5:41)
9. "Glistening Black" (5:47)