With David Bowie being known almost as well for his love of his literature as his creative output, principle curator of the ‘David Bowie Is’ exhibition, Geoffrey Marsh, felt it was important to release a list of the Starman’s 100 favourite books as part of underlying tributary aspect of the collection.
Dropping in at number 18 was Peter Ackroyd’s ‘Hawksmoor’, a book chronicling, in part, the life of an 18th century church architecture Nicholas Dyer. Asked in one scene about his motives to design churches and cathedrals, Dyer replies ‘architecture aims at eternity’, an interesting insight into the purpose of art and an artist’s desire to create something so interesting that it inspires conversations far longer than the artist is alive.
By the title of their recent single, it may transpire that the Carl Stacey Project also think about art in the same way as Nicholas Dyer; the intention of their music being to last forever by ask interesting questions of anyone who listens to their work.
Whereas past work from the progressive rock outfit has included vocals, often openly challenging in its content, this time the collective have decided to release an instrumental; an interesting technique for any rock outfit, and certainly a one which opens the track up for listener interpretation.
Pounding, riff-heavy and intense, Cathedrals is a challenging and interesting listen, particularly when trying to make meaning of it. Especially when you know that the track has a clear meaning; a feeling you pick up in the style of the the Project’s musical language, which aims to communicate, and express, a certain feeling; one which clearly burns with a rage and anger.
Driven by revolt and revolution, this is a piece of work which, perhaps not architecturally, but certainly sonically, aims to be asking questions for years. Great stuff.