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With their sophomore release, Stamen & Pistils embrace a muted, esoteric and oftentimes creepy vibe, using their instruments sparingly and finding the magical sparseness in country gothic. Immediacy isn't of the most concern here; the music's intent is more focused on sending quiet shivers down your spine. While dominated by acoustic guitars and a voice only a mother (or indie-folk fanatic) could love, negative space, ghostly utterances and computer blips populate the sound space. Residing somewhere between Bauhaus and the Animal Collective, with a dreariness that would make admirers out of Arab Strap fans, Towns won't turn your head with guitar bombast, glittery presentation or neck-snapping beats. Thankfully, it doesn't need to.
--Maurice Spencer Teilmann
Synthesis.net

http://www.synthesis.net/music/review/item-6358/2007-09-06-stamen_pistils_towns

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