The new album from Xylouris White, The Sisypheans is a neat blending of world music and post-rock, with the vocals of George Xylouris and the drums of Jim White carrying this thing to glory. The album, out on Friday via Drag City, is a bit amazing in spots, with the force of what's here sure to surprise any listener.
"Tree Song" is roiling and gentle, as well as tempestuous and fervid, while "Heart's Eye" is expansive and windswept. The lute and percussion here are as integral as the amazing voice of George Xylouris, of course, while a number like "Black Sea" conjures up something ancient and unchained. That track, along with the rougher "Inland", has elements about it that suggests at least some commonalities with the early recordings of Dead Can Dance. I offer up that fact to narrow down my description of The Sisypheans, even as I acknowledge how "Ascension", the fiery closer here, moves into entirely more emotional directions. What remains most impressive about The Sisypheans is how the material feels on the verge of exploding with passion, and how these two players are containing something elemental and full of power throughout the course of this album.
The Sisypheans by Xylouris White will be out on Drag City.
More details on Xylouris White via the official Facebook page.
[Photo: Kim Hiorth]