True Sound. The World of Dust

On the new The World of Dust record Stefan Breuer cooperates again with musician and composer Todd Tobias. They collaborate since 2015, with Tobias getting a greater role by the album. The first two records were solo vehicles for Breuer, who besides playing in The World of Dust, is label manager, band member or supporting musician to other artists and bands.

For True Sound Tobias sent Breuer music that he went to work at as singer, lyricist and other production activities. It all results in an album of a darkish beauty. The album comes across to me as if the songs are half hidden in the shade. Hard to discern from their surroundings but evidently, totally to be trusted. Although most of the songs have a distinctive element, a louder guitar or drums for example, they are nearly all modest. The tight drumming in 'Nel's Passing' comes as a total surprise half way into the seventh song. The change in pace and atmosphere is welcome but not strictly taken unnecessary. The mood of True Sound had already captured me.

Interestingly enough the album took me on an aural adventure worth mentioning as well. During the first, admittedly less intense, listening sessions. True Sound came across as a psychedelic album. It reminded me of my early Pink Floyd -I can't listen to anything from before 'Atom Heart Mother'- songs like 'Seamus', 'Free Four', 'If' or 'Fat Old Sun', that kind of songs. Although I can still hear this influence, I have to work harder to hear it. True Sound has totally come into its own to me.

On True Sound Stefan Breuer tells the story of his grandparents from his own personal perspective. Which is an interesting perspective, come to think of it. Grandparents, mostly, are in their 50 or 60s on the day you were born. Most of their life is behind them and lived without you, while, when lucky, as a child you have a great bond with them. Unconditional love and care. But who they are/were is usually a little shrouded and especially when they die when you are still young.

Todd Tobias is a musician who has worked in and around the Guided By Voices camp. So, in a way eight songs in 21 minutes are extremely long songs, seen from the point of view of the sketchy songwriting of Robert Pollard. He has created two kind of songs for the album. One, a mostly bare environment of a guitar and some synthesizer warbling. Two, more frivolous songs with a band setting of drums, bass and keyboards. Both create a musical environment over which Breuer can sing his songs with his soft but extremely pleasant voice. Together it becomes a beautiful mix of songs and collaboration.

With 'Sailing' the album starts with an alternative sounding riff and warbling sounds. Listening to the riff that is repeated and repeated, I truly wonder how Stefan Breuer found the vocal melody accompanying it. As an opening song it is rather daring, as 'Sailing' is not truly representative for what is to follow. To a lesser extend 'Petronella's Death' but certainly with 'Wait For The Elder' the World of Dust is going after a perfect pop song. The former is a sadder sounding song, of course, the latter goes all for it. Both songs are with a full band sound. The former has some great bass parts and a beautiful warm organ, while the latter holds some 60s psychedelic pop tones in it. With 'Hazel' the mood changes totally. The song brings me back to Nova Zembla with De Kift in the late 90s.

It goes to show how diverse True Sound is in the just 21 minutes the album lasts. 21 Minutes makes up a short album but somehow True Sound does not come across that way. The album is complete, a whole, the experience of listening to it totally right. In other words: totally balanced. An album to be cherished.

Wout de Natris