Turning Plates’ self released debut album The Shouting Cave is very cinematic and stands out from the Glasgow scene with its fresh and interesting sound.
Mixing classical instruments and elements with electronic guitar, bass and drums creates a very original soundscape that makes it hard to place them into any particular genre.
The classical background of the members is clearly audible throughout the album, from almost choral-like harmonies and vocal melodies to haunting parts of trombones and beautiful violin lines, while the voices of guest vocalist Jo Mango and Duncan Sutherland fit well together in harmonised vocal parts.
Even though the instrumental parts perform a huge role in The Shouting Cave the metaphorical lyrics are also carefully written as the album actually explores the effect of the Internet on our modern society.
Turning Plates mention Bon Iver and Sigur Rós as their influences and the influence of the latter can be heard clearly on ‘Falling Lives’ with Sutherland’s eerie vocal technique giving the listener goose bumps.
The Shouting Cave is kind of an album that sets peace into the listener, painting whole frosty landscape into listener’s mind, it’s that kind of music that you want to listen to when your day is way too busy, everything goes wrong and all you want to do is relax and drink a glass of wine.
However, The Shouting Cave is not boring despite its peacefulness, it’s full of dynamic changes and surprises that keep the listener interested.
All of the tracks are very powerful and cinematic, after happy trombone build up on opening track ‘Avatar’ the album seems to get darker, towards the end ‘The Human Isle’ feels like a funeral song describing desolated world.
Still, last track ‘Things Grow’ gives a little bit of hope to our Internet ruled world with its yelled lyrics “Things grow, things grow, things grow legs and run wild”, with an instrumental build up letting you know something exciting is coming, and with the final explosion of joy and excitement the album ends.
Words: Iida Viljanen
