The One Ensemble of Daniel Padden - The Owl of Fives
(Textile)
The Owl of Fives is the oddly-titled second release from Volcano The Bear mainstay, Daniel Padden and his One Ensemble, essentially Mr. Padden on guitar, keyboards, percussion, kitchen-sink... ably assisted in parts by an assortment of individuals on strings, wine-glasses etc. It is a wonderfully evocative and tuneful record, far removed from the experimental claustrophobia of, say, The Inhazer Decline. Initially I was taken aback by this cohesion and approachability of the music. I had expected something far more acerbic, but I found myself simply marveling at the dozen simple and elegant instrumentals.
For a while I was struggling to locate any suitable reference points. While there were evident touches throughout of the traditional national folk music of the USA, England and Scotland (the locations where this disc was put together over the first three years of this millennium), many of the tunes had evident Eastern European airs and even a French flavour from time to time, all effortlessly blended. For some reason, I was reminded of The Residents. A spot of research revealed that Mr. Padden is a self-confessed fan (Not Available makes it into his top ten), and this music seeps with the (once) unique almost micro-tonal, veering towards the Partchian style of that eyeballed band of unknown members. Perhaps the Owl of Fives is a fourth volume of the Mole Trilogy. It would be a worthy addition.
Hearing the music again with this influence acknowledged allowed for a greater understanding perhaps, and made the tracks seem a little less predictable and original. However, we are left with a beautiful work, which is far beyond a mere Residents tribute. The track titles are sublime - "The Opposite of Earthquakes," a statement which raises only questions - "Singing Norway to Sleep," one of a couple of mysterious Scandinavian references - and the reprised "Still Flinging Clowns." I have always found clown faces more macabre than amusing. The tracks on which violin and viola feature are particularly effective, providing a languorous tuneful overlay to the carefully composed bedrock laid down by Padden on the various instruments at his disposal. And while there are no vocals to speak of as such, the voice does make fitful semi-growling instrumental appearances in the style of the sunburned man's hand.
Daniel Padden is willing to deal with the distribution of this release himself (via a link at www.brainwashed.com). I am sure he would be delighted to receive your custom. The Owl of Fives is worth it.
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