Continuing the sonic explorations from albums like 2020, Richard Dawson is back with The Ruby Cord. The Domino release seems less inscrutable than earlier Dawson efforts, and somehow more sweeping. It's a demanding listen, sure, but also a rewarding one.
The epic 41-minute opener "The Hermit" is very nearly its own album. The tune sways and churns with melodic heft, waves of melody crashing in, and then it shifts into a more vocal-based composition. The ending of the thing is lovely, a contrast from the churn of the opening moments. After that, it almost doesn't matter how the rest of the record progresses as that long track is just so impressive. Still, "Thicker Than Water" and "The Fool" are jaunty and spry, bits of folk rock jostling with a real rock sense of dynamics. Elsewhere, the 10-minute "The Tip of the Arrow" marries an approach to jazz instrumentation that seems similar to that of Modern Nature, though there's a bit more chaos in the grooves as this one winds down. The album closer, "Horse and Rider" is lovely and cathartic. The vocals anchor this one and bring the emotions forward as the piece reaches a crescendo.
Richard Dawson remains a unique force in music today. His approach is baffling at times, blending so many disparate elements in the pursuit of something that the results can be off-putting. However, I found all of The Ruby Cord engrossing and compelling. Even with the ambition of the longer tracks, I never felt lost, as I was content to listen as Dawson followed his muse over stylistic hills and valleys. There's a lot to absorb here, but there's a lot to love easily, as this may be Dawson's most stubbornly lush record to date.
The Ruby Cord is out now via Domino.
[Photo: Kuba Ryniewicz]