PANTALEIMON: The Butterfly Ate The Pearl

Pantaleimon
The Butterfly Ate The Pearl
Grass Girl
Modern psych-folk can be a dangerous thing these days. Itâs easy to go from mind-bending to disastrously corny in a heartbeat, but Andria Degens does a good job of walking the middle ground on this release. And though I donât find her lyrics particularly strong, her voice, instrumentation, production, and sequencing make for an exceptional album.
The Butterfly Ate the Pearl features guests from indie roots-rock acts like Bonnie Prince Billy and Vetiver, but this is clearly Degensâs album. She writes, co-produces, and contributes a dozen instruments. And, throughout, thereâs no denying that the album has a singular feel and vision that seems to come straight from her personality.
The album is most impressive taken as a whole, songs flowing into and out of each other and carrying the mood throughout, sounding at times like a mind-blown Loreena McKennitt, or maybe a less dire Dead Can Dance. âDiamond River Runâ is a true standout, with pulsing drone synths and shimmery guitars supporting a slinky and evocative melody. âElevation of a Dreamâ is a sleepy, hazy, summery gem. âAnother Worldâ is the perfect centerpiece, a gorgeously arching soundscape which she soars over, so beautifully that it doesnât matter what sheâs singing about.
While the dominant sonic combinations on the album â the Celtic, the Eastern and the ambient â have been mainstays of psych-folk for 45 years, Degens manages to sound unique, fresh and inventive. Itâs been five years since her last record; letâs hope she doesnât need so long to recover from this one.
â Dan Greenwood