About this item

The suddenly prolific Resonant label delivers this charming debut album from Portland, Oregon-based music and film-making quartet Small Sails. Known for their frequent and startling live shows, whereby the interplay between the visuals (they number a 16mm film projectionist amongst their members) and the music comes into its own, their reputation in North America is solid. Best described as post-electronic, "Similar Anniversaries" features ten playful, whimsical, contemplative, organic compositions with hummed, half-audible vocals accentuating the guitar lines and sublime electronic melodies, in turn managing to achieve the rare feat of transporting the listener into a netherworld of imaginary fields, waterfalls, birds and the like. Ultimately, their music is warm and welcoming, unlike that of many of their contemporaries, and this is a truly delightful and thoroughly accomplished album, with songs that instantly seem familiar.