Label: Sonic360 Format: CD;CDS/12″/Digital Download
Mockery is the breathtaking début album from Littl Shyning Man, a.k.a. Christopher Haworth, which was originally released in 2005. To me it struck a chord with Mothlite‘s The Flax of Reverie – a huge symphonic sweeping spectrum of style: a mixture of electronics and instruments, frantic modernist string pieces, vocal harmonies, spoken word, raw buzzing noise, drum and bass joins folk in a shimmering clicking whir. And like Mothlite, Mockery has a quality that is very English. The name Littl Shyning Man comes from the book Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban. Mockery is a sound track to this post apocalyptic tale. Christopher Haworth steers us through a landscape that is disjointed and fractured, melancholic and unsettling. The shards and embers of electronica and folk are fused together in the apocalyptic ruins.
“Inchborough”, one of Mockery‘s highlights, has been released as a single in 2008. Alongside the original is a remix by producer/rapper duo FBC Fabric and Reindeer, and two Littl Shyning Man interpretations of fellow Sonic 360 artists Acida and Gladkazuka. FBC Fabric and Reindeer emphasise the drum and bass that emerges at points during Mockery. They bring “Inchborough” to the urban dance floor in a relaxed chill out groove. Littl Shyning Man’s remixes move between laid back lounge jazz and out and out electro, both infused with his apocalyptic vision. All in all a timely reminder of Christopher Haworth’s vision and talent. More please.
-Alaric-
