The Double Life of Veronique - Avec un Pessimisme Lucide
(Nameless)
Aptly titled after Krzysztof Kieslowski 1991 film, The Double Life of Véronique invokes a similar dream state and sense of the supernatural although via a completely different medium. Consisting, on this recording, of two compositions for bowed guitars and three live guitar improvisations, the five tracks on this CD are inspired by a long history of prepared guitar, from the tabletop experiments of Keith Row in AMM to Rafael Toral's incandescent soundtracks. The early work of Eno is definitely called to mind, as well as a few other modern composers. Compositionally, The Double Life of Véronique spread out drones and repeated chords over time and through a fuzzy haze of delayed effects. Unfortunately, it's these effects that are the downfall of this LP.
Unlike Toral, for instance, who never betrays his medium and takes the instrument to a place yet uncharted, The Double Life of Véronique tend to float in a space that seems more or less discovered. Not to say that's bad, but I can only take so much of guitar through delay pedals. It really seems that the medium hasn't been pushed enough, or the musicians have not grown into it quite yet. Ultimately I think over time this could turn out to be something really great, because there are some really beautiful, subtle, and well performed moments on this LP. But it lacks an overall strength and voice of its own. But, if you are a fan of anything mentioned above, you'll probably enjoy this.
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