Choirs of the Eye

Choirs of the Eye is the first album by Kayo Dot.

Overview and musical approach

In maudlin of the Well the compositions were often "brought to life" using astral projection, a relatively New age phantasmagorical practice which involves lucid dreaming, using the unconscious mind to extract ideas, solutions, or in this case pre-conceived music from an elaborate Astral library. In art this concept can be linked back to the theories and philosophies of early Surrealists such as Max Ernst and André Breton (who wrote the very first Surrealist Manifesto in 1924). With Choirs of the Eye Kayo Dot denounce this songwriting technique yet continue in the same direction that motW were going with their two final albums Bath and Leaving Your Body Map. The compositions aren't songs in the traditional sense but rather abstract movements, focusing on instrumental density, atmosphere and intensity.

Track listing

1. "Marathon" – 10:14
2. "A Pitcher Of Summer" – 5:46
3. "The Manifold Curiosity" – 14:28
4. "Wayfarer" – 10:45
5. "The Antique" – 14:41

All music written by Kayo Dot and Toby Driver, all lyrics by Jason Byron.

Credits

• Toby Driver - Vocals, guitar, Cello, Double bass, Bell (instrument), Synthesizer
• Greg Massi - Vocals, Electric guitar
• Nicholas Kyte - Vocals, Bass guitar
• Sam Gutterman - Vocals, Percussion
• Terran Olson - Flute, Clarinet, Alto saxophone, Grand piano, Hammond organ, Rhodes piano
• Sam Minnich - French horn
• Benjie Messer - Trombone
• Todd Neece - Recitation
• Mia Matsumiya - Violin, Viola
• Alex Nagle - Electric guitar
• Adam Scott - Trumpet