Oh no, it’s not hyperbole, dear readers of Boomkat’s laudatory album description; I’d even remove the “arguably” from their claim that Spellewauerynsherde is “one of the 21st century’s most enigmatic and haunting albums,” because there’s precisely zero doubt among objective judges who’ve had the chance to experience this 2004 effort through other mediums already.
Texan-born and Los Angeles-based Akira Rabelais did something magical when he melded and manipulated “Icelandic acapella lament songs” from the 1960s and 70s into an even more core-wrenching musical package; and up until this point, those actual, literal “packages” by which Spellewauerynsherde has been delivered were limited to audio files and occupied digipaks (for which great thanks are still owed to David Sylvian’s Samadhisound label; no disrespect).
But now, dear readers (as in RIGHT NOW), Akira Rabelais and Boomkat have a very limited edition of Spellewauerynsherde out on vinyl — the format for which this album seemed destined (considering we haven’t yet found a way to deliver sound through scent that meanders its way out of antique potion bottles)! For the purposes of this vinyl edition, Rabelais reportedly made a “sensitive new edit” that allows the seven tracks to flow more seamlessly over both sides of the record. 650 copies (for the clear and black vinyl options combined) means that you (and I) had better get on that quickly!
I know. But listen: DON’T PANIC. Just listen to the track *inhales* “1390 Gower Conf. II. 20 I Can Noght Thanne Unethes Spelle That I Wende Altherbest Have Rad.” below while you get your order placed, and then make your PhD study of the full tracklist. Good luck, friends.
Spellewauerynsherde tracklisting (hold onto something):
01. 1382 Wyclif Gen. II. 7 And Spiride In To The Face Of Hym An Entre Of Breth Of Lijf.
02. 1390 Gower Conf. II. 20 I Can Noght Thanne Unethes Spelle That I Wende Altherbest Have Rad.
03. 1440 Promp. Parv. 518/2 Wawyn, Or Waueryn, Yn A Myry Totyr, Oscillo.
04. 1483 Caxton Golden Leg. 208 B/2 He Put Not Away The Wodenes Of His Flessh With A Sherde Or Shelle.
05. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 125 Within Which Draw An Other Circle, A Finger Bredth Distant.
06. (Gorgeous Curves Lovely Fragments Labyrinthed On Occasions Entwined Charms, A Few Stories At Any Longer Sworn To Gathered From A Guileless Angel And The Hilt Edges Of Old Hearts, If They Do In The Guilt Of Deep Despondency.)
07. 1671 Milton Samson 1122 Add Thy Spear, A Weavers Beam, And Seven-Times-Folded Shield.
More about: Akira Rabelais
