The debut album, Goats, from Xylouris White, featuring acclaimed Cretan folk musician George Xylouris and iconic underground drummer Jim White (Dirty Three, Cat Power), is out now and available in record stores, iTunes and Amazon, and in all formats (CD, LP, mp3, WAV and FLAC) here on Other Music Recording Co. The album was just reviewed in Pitchfork, who wrote: “The pensive joy within Goats stems from two musicians of seemingly disparate backgrounds, communicating together with the tools they know best and as well as anyone else who has ever used them. Here though, with new partners and parameters, they’ve struck upon something challenging, wholly inventive, and rewarding.” 

After Xylouris White’s U.S. tour (which includes the October 23 Other Music’s CMJ Showcase with labelmates Invisible Familiars, 75 Dollar Bill, and Tall Tales and the Silver Lining) the duo will then head over to Europe in November for three weeks of shows which include appearances with Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy.

In his review for The New York Times, Ben Ratliff says, “Both are extraordinary musicians. Their music starts with old Cretan forms — the brisk, dance-beat sousta and the slow, sung, expressive rizitika — and spreads outward into loose, sympathetic improvisations of uncertain length, the kind of thing that has been at the center of each man’s music for a long time. It’s intense, joyous, rugged music.” The Chicago Reader describes it as ‘pulse-racing,” adding that the album “erases lines between disparate international traditions as well as between folk and rock.”

Shakenstir Review

Jim White’s drumming has fascinated me since my discovery of it on the Cat Power album Moon Pix back in 1998. That revelation led to my awareness of the Australian Dirty Three band and subsequent acquisition of the astounding Horse Stories. White’s drumming is distinctive, unique and some of the most intuitive you’ll ever hear. In 1999 I witnessed the Dirty Three backing Nick Cave in the Irish Republic which cemented my respect for the band, their music and of course Jim White’s drumming. In the same way Cat Power introduced me to White, the drummer introduced me to the wonderful Cretan lute playing and vocal skills of Cretan George Xylouris via what has fast become one of my favourite albums of 2014, GOATS.

GOATS is the first formal release from the duo and it comes with a warning… When playing the opening track, ‘Pulling The Bricks’, keep your audio volume at at a respectable level because if you don’t you’re likely to lift the roof clean of your house! White’s threatening, dark and jagged drumming introduces the song and it’s akin to the soundtrack of some deadly thriller where the hapless victim is being tracked down by a relentless killer (in fact it wouldn’t surprise me if this track ends up in a movie sooner than later). It’s extraordinary. But then Xylouris enters to calm things down a tad before White’s explosive rhythm re-enters to complete a stunning but all-too-brief track. ‘Old School Sousta’ offers a sharply contrasting traditional flavour with a superb melody and the two players working together in total and devestating harmony. Stunning!The sound quality of the record is of audiophile quality exemplified by the gently flowing next track, ‘Parandonis Syrto’, where strings hold the dominating hand while White’s subtle and quiet beats can still be heard. However, in true Dirty Three style, White lets his presence be heard more emphatically as the track progresses while Xylouris matches him note for note. This could be my favourite album track…

‘The Bells’ is as modern as today with White rampant in the background while Xylouris holds a steady centre ground. Check out the drum stick percussive work on this mother! I had to wait till the penultimate track, ‘Fandomas’, to hear Xylouris in full vocal flight in what is the fastest moving album track. This is followed by the slowest track, ‘Run And La’ that crawls along like a well-fed crocodile. This is an extraordinary album that doesn’t allow one to settle. It offers a massively diverse range of moods and pace mixed with modern adventure and tradional tones. And it’s finally delivered by the most superb musicianship, powerful melody and production that reveals the quality and drama therein - without compromise. This could be my album of the year - it’s that good. I challenge you to keep those feet from tapping as you listen, as indeed you must…

5/5