FiRES WERE SHOT - Awakened By a Lonely Feud (Quiet Design)

Awakened By a Lonely Feud is Austin, Texas-based duo FiRES WERE SHOT‘s third album, their first in seven years, and only their third in their thirteen-year career. Clay Walton and John Wilkins may have their reasons for taking so long between records, but whatever that may be, it only adds to the overall feeling that their music is a very special thing, something delicate, precious, and rare. Indeed, there are moments of delicate beauty to be found here—from the gentle chimes of “Feel Like Illinois” and the Robbie Basho styling of “Go On and Carried Out,” to the quiet Brian Eno-ish “Destined” and “Bombell.” These quieter moments are a further perfection of what was started on their 2004 album Solace, and are an even further step from their earlier, louder, post-rock days; a rare live appearance witnessed by this writer was one of the loudest shows he’d seen. Hopefully, it won’t take these fellows another six years between records; the world needs more beautiful, delicate music. (Quiet Design)