The master of ethereal guitar Robin Guthrie returns with his
fifth solo album Fortune. The name rings a bell doesn't it? Guthrie used to be
one third of Scotland's finest dream-pop outfit, Cocteau Twins. In 1986,
Elizabeth Fraser and Guthrie collaborated with American ambient artist Harold
Budd on The Moon and the Melodies. The same year saw Cocteau Twins release
their fourth album Victorialand. The ambient textures on The Moon and the
Melodies obviously rubbed off on Guthrie, as his solo discography has proven to be one of
beauty and elegance. Without Fraser, Guthrie can only rely on his guitar to do
the talking. Guthrie is no Vini Reilly (The Durutti Column), but he does possess
the power of ethereal, backed by his critically acclaimed career with one of
the best bands of the 80s.
Guthrie is (was) one half of independent record label Bella Union,
although now serves a non-existent role compared to his Cocteau Twins bass counterpart Simon
Raymonde. His work outside of Cocteau Twins has been varied. From record label
executive to guest collaborator, Guthrie has a wide background in the torrid
music industry. His fifth album Fortune is the icing on the cake to his 50th
year on planet Earth. And on the opening track "Cadence", all
previous personal problems become absent. This is the now, and Guthrie takes full
advantage of this. The second track "Circus Circus" is just as hallucinogenic
as the opening track, including Guthrie's guitar layered drones he's famous
for. Guthrie's true musicianship comes in the form of hearing, listening for
the right sounds using the right effects.
There's not a single track on this album that doesn't
deserve to be here. The lucid "Forever Never" is an elegant track
which raises the stakes and brings it home in the final third.
"Ladybird" sounds like its title, with soft beauty and delicate
atmospheres. "Like Water In Milk" has the wall of sound production
Guthrie incorporated into his sound all those years ago with Cocteau Twins.
Apart from the effect heavy guitar, the other instrumentation fails to
communicate with the listener. The percussion is light, but with light drumming
comes this falsified sound which shouldn’t be put alongside such melancholy
guitar work. On the other side of this, "Lavona's Life" benefits with
the percussion due to its minimal nature.
"Tigermilk" is one of my favourites because of its
sensual guitar melody and ethereal atmosphere. Guthrie has created a sound
worth listening to no matter what the time, or weather. The ambient recordings
are better than the structured few, however the main bulk of this album
revolves around Guthrie's depth in guitar. The title Tigermilk also springs to
mind a certain debut album by fellow Scottish giants, Belle & Sebastian.
Perhaps it’s a homage to Stuart Murdoch who lists Cocteau Twins as his biggest
idol? I'm not sure; it's something for me to research.
The final two tracks "Perfume and Youth" and
"Kings Will Be Falling" are the best tracks on the album because
they're powerful, energetic and melodic recordings. Guthrie becomes somewhat of
a craftsman on the penultimate track which is far more ambient and easy
listening than all the previous material in Guthrie's discography. Fortune
unexpectedly ends with a bang. It opens with two minutes of atmospheric guitar
layers before doubling in volume and instrumentation at the half way mark. You
can hear a real sense of freedom and accomplishment in the final few minutes of
Fortune.
If you're unfamiliar with Guthrie's solo work, take a chance
on this album because you won't be disappointed. The eager listener will hear similarities
to Victorialand, but the long term Guthrie fan will fit Fortune alongside the
previous four Guthrie albums. You may enhance this listen by turning off the
lights or perhaps turning on rainymood. However you wish to listen, Fortune
will leave a mark of tentativeness and bewilderness on the audience. It will
bring you back to the glorious days of obscurity in alternative music- it
brings you right to the core of Robin Guthrie.
~Eddie Gibson
8.0