Richard Youngs’ particular brand of minimalism can be overwhelming for the uninitiated. On the surface, his recent albums seem filled with little more than simple folk songs, but in fact each of these releases has focused on a distinct and often very specific nuance of his creative vision. Serving as a primer of sorts, 2004’s straightforward guitar and piano set, River Through Howling Sky, centered on being just that: an uncomplicated exploration of the broad, uncluttered space only possible within the vast plane of minimalism. 2005’s The Naïve Shaman explored the effects of digital intrusion on that space, and shifting gears slightly, 2007’s Autumn Response articulated the uncanny presence of the human voice in that space, often doubling Youngs’ own voice to create ghostly duets.
Under Stellar Stream continues the single-minded focus, this time contemplating the meditative capacity of lyrics and recitations -- in other words, what the voice ponders on that barren plane. It’s an intriguing exercise, to be sure, and it doesn’t take Youngs long to arrive at an answer. Album opener “Broke Up By Night” pairs the image of ascending stone steps with an overall consideration of the elusive quality of time itself: “Climbing the stone steps, the albatross returning/ And all the energy of trails in the blue sky/ I am remembering now the waiting on time itself/ And I am remembering now the value of sleep.”
Philosophically, the lyrics attempt to elevate the detritus of everyday living to a reverent observation of hallowed rites. The protagonist awakes and resumes the daily climbing of “stone steps” -- an obvious metaphor for all arduous repetitive tasks -- and ultimately finds renewal in sleep or the hope of a new day. Through these poetic lines, Youngs tries to instill a sense of wonder, to advance the notion that there is an inherent value in dutifully observing these simple routines. His efforts reveal just how much depth he is able to wring from a deceptively plain song.
Youngs also asserts throughout that the ordinary things in life are universal, that they are part of a shared human experience, that all the ups and downs associated with that experience are cyclical. On “Cluster To A Star,” he reinforces this concept by repeating each line four times, and it’s here that the tedium of his experiment compromises the overall experience. By the time the song closes with the simple phrase, “I rode out this morning/ To a Nova Scotian shore”, uttered four times, much of the promise he’s generated on previous tracks has dissipated.
Still, “The Bells of Spring” closes the album on a high note, revisiting the theme of renewal by reciting the tell-tale signs of spring’s onset. Knowing that Youngs’ catalogue extends back over 20 years, it seems fitting that he would choose to emphasize rejuvenation on the finale. His dedication to his own daily habits has produced such an interesting body of work that I can only wonder what the future holds for a revitalized Youngs.
1. Broke Up By Night
2. All Day Monday And Tuesday
3. Cluster To A Star
4. Arise Arise
5. My Mind Is In Garlands
6. The Bells of Spring
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