Writ on Water

Item: Sylph
Author: Jason Morehead

Sylph

(1992)

Reviewed by Jason Morehead

Discogs Bandcamp

Label Blonde VinylOpus2000

gothic rock post-punk

Originally published at Opus

Back in the day, Blonde Vinyl must have been the shiz-nit. Established by Michael Knott (along with Terry Taylor, Knott is one of the most important figures in underground Christian music -- forget about MxPx and The Supertones), Blonde Vinyl took chances in an era and in a market when chances were anathema.

And on a label populated by unknowns was released this unknown album, which is also one of the best post-punk records I've ever heard. Perfectly blending the edginess of Joy Division with the somber atmospheres of The Cure à la Faith or Disintegration, it's a shame that this album has not been more widely acclaimed than it has. Other comparisons include shoegazing bands like Pale Saints, as well as the classic 4AD sound, back when they were putting out stuff like This Mortal Coil.

At times, it wanders into brief avant-garde experimentation, but even that is well done, building up tense atmospheres. As a whole, the album is very beautiful, in a dark way that doesn't come off as being "woe is me" or existentially nonsensical. Very nice. And thanks to the beauty of MP3s, the band has released this entire album on MP3.com for free download, or on a CD for only $5.