Brethren of the Free Spirit - All Things Are From Him, Through Him And In Him
Brethren of the Free Spirit

All Things are From Him, Through Him and in Him. 2008. 3.5 stars.

An avant-garde acoustic collaboration between guitarist James Blackshaw and lutenist Josef Van Wissem, Brethren of the Free Spirit play classically inspired melodies that gracefully build and repeat in a hypnotic and psychedelic manner. The album’s 4 tracks delve into folk and minimalist traditions, with layered compositions leading into a sustained and relaxed trances, never pushing towards powerful climaxes or crescendos.

The restrained and meditative quality of the music here is almost religious in its execution, with its meticulous attention to detail and patient movements providing a soft backdrop for intense personal reflection. I first started exploring this album when I was walking alone in the woods by my house, feeling the waves of acoustic guitar build naturally, seemingly mimicking the precise and intricate patterns found in nature. The album’s pastoral nature favors solitary experiences and requires the undivided attention of the listener in appreciating its inner dramas.

While the moods and feelings given off by this record are lucid and well conceived, the album’s short duration (under 30 minutes) and general lack of variety hurts its overall impact. Certainly there are intense and complex moments, but the entire affair becomes quite repetitive if its not taken in within the right context. As far as avant-garde recordings go, Brethren of the Free Spirit are consistently interesting and accessible, if you are willing to find the right setting to listen to it. This is strong conceptual music for the Zen set.

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