Jan 29 2020
Best of 2019 #23: Graham Costello’s STRATA – “Obelisk”
On his debut album, Graham Costello attains a massive sound. Each time I’ve listened to this album over the course of 2019, inevitably I shake my head in disbelief that it’s merely a sextet that generates this much energy. But it’s more than just a big sound that distinguished Obelisk as something special; it’s the melodic intensity, and how it remains focused over a duration of nearly an hour and fifteen minutes of music. Each piece clocks in, on average, at ten minutes in length, and there’s never a moment where the drummer’s STRATA ensemble wavers or meanders off or takes their eye off some distant spot on the horizon that represents the tune’s endpoint. It’s driven music, and while the melody changes under this constant pressure, it’s never so much that it deviates from its original voicing. It’s a remarkable feat just by way of this accomplishment, but how it lends to a dramatic listening experience is what elevates this recording up to a higher esteem. I ended my write-up for The Bandcamp Daily by saying, “And drummer Graham Costello doesn’t let up for the entirety of his debut; the unrelenting waves of cinematic imagery accrue an intensity that never seems to level off, even after the last note has faded.” And, really, that’s the best way to end it here, too. This album has been in constant play on my stereo, and the impact of the music hasn’t lessened, not even a little.
Your album personnel: Graham Costello (drums), Harry Weir (tenor sax), Liam Shortall (trombone), Fergus McCreadie (piano), Joe Williamson (guitar), and Mark Hendry (bass).
The album is Self-Produced, and released as BPQD Records.
Music from Glasgow, UK.
I wrote about the album for The Bandcamp Daily.
Cover art by Graham Costello.
Robert Middleton
January 29, 2020 @ 8:04 pm
Like the sound of this one Dave. I’ve given up following all of these on your top 70 list. I have no clue how you do it. But when I get them by email and have a moment, I give a listen. I have albums I learned about from you years ago that are still amongst my favorites. And I do like stuff that has energy, which this does in spades. Cheers, R.
davesumner
January 30, 2020 @ 10:53 pm
My site can, it’s true, be a bit overwhelming, lol.
If it makes you feel any better, I often struggle to make time for all the great music I discovered years ago. But I try.
Cheers,
Dave
Robert
January 31, 2020 @ 3:26 am
Man , I really want to buy less this year and be pickier about my choices so I can spend more time with the stuff I like the best. But it’s a challenge. I create a lot of favorites playlists.
davesumner
February 3, 2020 @ 10:40 pm
I know. The moment you say, okay, gonna stay in a holding pattern for awhile, that’s when you discover some great new album, and now you’re afraid to slow down, because what if you miss another great album!