- Critic score
- Publication
- By date
-
An exciting release that deepens with further listens, Mothertongue is a great step forward from Muhly.
-
Mothertongue oscillates between the comfort/terror of singularities and excitement/terror of potentialities, but the possibilities this duality affords for Muhly’s future work are frankly exhilarating.
-
What makes Muhly’s work particularly interesting then is not only his use of this style--comprehending the four movements of the title track is particularly vexing as bits of voices mingle and move at different velocities--but the use of the style in a dynamic way itself, reminiscent of Nyman’s compositions.
-
These three suites get under your skin in a good way, none more so than the final track, a haunting gothic tale of sororicide sung by fellow Vermonter Sam Amidon.
-
Muhly makes more pastiche-y compositions, whose power comes from the incongruity of the comparators.
-
It's searching, quizzical, and filled with alternately fleeting and sustained passages of astonishing beauty.
-
It's a gorgeous performance that anchors Mothertongue with its strength and solemnity.
-
This is decidedly Muhly's vision, and though he plays only keyboards and a few other instruments here, he composed the entire album, which will go down in history as a cult classic for especially adventurous listeners.
User score distribution:
-
Positive: 2 out of 4
-
Mixed: 1 out of 4
-
Negative: 1 out of 4
-
JohnSSep 15, 2008This album is wonderful. Each section carries it's own emotion. I can not recommend this highly enough.