17 Pygmies – CII: Second Son
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Tracklist: Celestina XII (3:33), Celestina XIII (3:59), Celestina XIV (2:27), Celestina XV (3:37), Celestina XVI (6:50), Celestina XVII (4:14), Celestina XVIII (3:31), Celestina XIX (5:54), Celestina XX (5:31), Celestina XXI (3:04), Celestina XXII (1:56)
17 Pygmies hails from the US and whose main composer and instrumentalist is Jackson Del Rey (guitar, synths, bass). With his partner Meg Maryatt (vocals, piano & synth), Jeff Brenneman (guitar, synth & vocals) and Dirk Doucette (drums, guitar, synth, bass & vocals) he created Second Son as the successor to Celestina (2009). The musicians are highly experienced because they have been active in the music business since 1982. Del Rey takes an exceptional interest in the Twilight Zone, soundtracks and psychedelic music from the sixties. All these influences can be distinguished quite clearly in the music of this album. It takes a certain state of mind to really appreciate this album but once you get into the music, you're 'lost' and you're well away to a voyage, a trip to cosmic psychedelica....
Haunting sounds set the tone of the music as soaring winds are followed by the gentle sound of a 'musical box' and some string arrangements. Celestina XIII is an awesome ballad carried by the sweet & soothing voice of Meg Maryatt, with its slow rhythm, subtle drumming, keyboards and violins. Celestina XIV is a melodic interlude, beginning like a soundtrack but turning into a nice psychedelic atmosphere and a melody played by flutes and accompanied by keyboards. In the same key as in Celestina XIII it's rather dark music but still melodic and the musical box is in contrast with the more orchestral passages in both Celestina XV and XVI. The low 'drone' can be heard throughout this track and several others too by the way.
Celestina XVII is partly a reprise from Celestina XIII, also nicely sung by Meg Maryatt. The first part of Celestina XVIIIis dark, ambient, like a soundtrack for a somewhat scary movie. In the second part also a piece which is full of strings and far more melodic. The drone-like E bass sound, as heard before, is the basis for some whining violins and a more melodic part with Maryatt's vocals in Celestina XIX. What a lovely voice she has! Celestina XX is a subtle chill out tune with slow drums, keyboards and some violins and guitar. Very accessible melodies and some classical influences because of the piano in Celestina XXI; the music is fading away nicely and this would have been a fine end of the album in my opinion. Instead we have this somewhat strange alternative ending with organ, synths and unexpectedly raw guitars and hammering synth sounds, to fade away smoothly fortunately.
The album comes in a lush, highly original package, nice booklet, delicately wrapped (with seal!), a feast for the eye and nothing like I'd ever seen before. Maybe a bit strange, but still a very enjoyable album combining ambient, chill out, soundtrack and symphonic music in a very original mixture with a touch of psychedelic influences from the Sixties.
Conclusion: 7.5 out of 10
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