| A Whisper in the Noise | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Art rock |
| Labels | Transdreamer Records Exile on Mainstream Southern Records |
| Website | awitn.com |
| Members | |
| West Thordson Sonja Larson |
|
A Whisper in the Noise is a musical project of composer West Thordson. Centered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro, the group is known for their dark sound and unique instrumentation, as well as their effective live performances. Eschewing the more traditional use of guitar or heavy keyboards that might be associated with the band's umbral sound, the instrumentation of A Whisper in the Noise has included the cello, violin, French horn, synth/electronic keyboard, bass guitar, and percussion in some variation. The resulting minimalist expression, the unique arrangement of instruments, and the inclusion of visual media elements during live performance has seen the band described as "art rock."
Contents |
The album's title alludes to the famous quote from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, wherein a soothsayer warns Julius Caesar of his impending doom on the way to the Senate. The album was recorded in a very short period of time (two days during March), at which point someone warned the composer to "beware the ides of March." The album was recorded in Chicago by Steve Albini and released in 2003.
Between Through the Ides of March and As the Bluebird Sings the band released a shorter album in collaboration with If Thousands called 2D.
The band's second full-length album was entitled As the Bluebird Sings. It includes a cover of Bob Dylan's "The Times They Are A-Changin" which was included on the soundtrack of M. Night Shyamalan's Lady in the Water. The title is partially based on a quote from a Charles Bukowski poem, as well as another Bukowski poem entitled "Bluebird". Thordson has been quoted as saying that to him the bluebird symbolizes purity. The album was produced by Tom Herbers and released in April 2006.
In October 2007 the band released Dry Land on the Germany-based label Exile On Mainstream Records. The album was recorded by the band's long time cohort Steve Albini. A limited edition CD version was packaged in 50–100 years old, antique paper.
The band's sound has been noted for fully incorporating the string and other orchestral instrumentation, a step different from similar rock and dark pop projects wherein strings are often added on as an afterthought or not given full room for expression and treated as integral elements within melodic musical structure. Other elements that mark the group's work are the inclusion of barely audible soundscapes of text (often derived from news broadcasts) and the persistence of slowly constructed piano arpeggios onto which other musical layers are added.
The themes dealt with lyrically are distinctly "dark" and keep with the tone of the music. The topics range from poetic reminiscences of lost or abandoned love, rage at cultural injustice, greed, and shallowness, and a kind of drifting melancholy that seems to hover on the edge of violence.
A Whisper in the Noise have performed consistently around the Twin Cities area. Additionally, they have toured the United States, Europe, and England at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival.
Live performances often but not always include still and moving images projected behind the group.
A Whisper in the Noise has typically been well-received by both critics and listeners. SouthSCENE declared them "a dark melee of some of the most innovative and mature musical styles of contemporary rock," [1] and TreasureTunes praised the group's "dramatic, melancholic music." [2]