Steven r. smith –

Olive

Steven R. Smith is a wildly consistent and self-sufficient auteur making epic music far beyond his monk-like solo recording practices. On Olive, one gets more of Steven R. Smith's singular vision and musicianship, this time filtered through ensemble arrangement largely performed by others-an approach he's explored in recent years. A micro-orchestra of horn and woodwind players was enlisted, as well as other collaborators including Kate Wright (Movietone, 1000 Dawns) and Yvonne Sone. The stunning results call to mind Mark Hollis' eponymous solo LP and Gerald Busby's masterful 3 Women score, not only in terms of sonics or tone, but also in the use of space. Smith has explored many angles to soundtrack-like mood music, but there is a satisfying dark rock element to even his more refined chamber pieces. Smith's dusky post-punk signature, borrowed from Australian artists such as Rowland S. Howard and Crime & the City Solution, synthesizes with the mannered arrangements to push his familiar, evocative sound into new spaces.

Country of Pressing	US
Artist	Steven R. Smith
Released	2024
Music Genre	Pop / Rock
Label	SOFT ABUSE
Condition	New
UPC	795154146031
SKU	al-795154146031

1.1 1. Marshland Study
1.2 2. The Magpie
1.3 3. On the Trellis
1.4 4. With Cypresses
1.5 5. Passing Winter
1.6 6. Across the Boulevard
1.7 7. Olive
1.8 8. Parlor Fields
1.9 9. Trees at North Branch
1.10 10. Roadmenders