Lovers
Lovers reveals a quieter side of Nels Cline while keeping enough strangeness in place. His guitar sits within a chamber orchestra arranged by Michael Leonhart. Strings, reeds, brass and percussion give the music a rich setting. The record seeks romance, but shadows in the sound make it more interesting than a collection of soft melodies.
Glad To Be Unhappy presents that balance clearly. Guitar moves fluidly through an arrangement that leaves room for the different instruments. The sound is polished and intimate despite the large ensemble. Cline does not need huge outbursts to be expressive; small movements within a melody often do enough.
Cry, Want gives the music more open space. The guitar can sustain a note and let its tone change while the ensemble carries the atmosphere. That restraint connects older jazz pieces with less obvious choices from other musical worlds.
Snare, Girl, originally by Sonic Youth, consequently fits the programme without a dramatic stylistic break. Guitar and orchestral colours give the song another perspective. The adventure often lies in selecting and colouring the material, rather than visibly disrupting every tune.
The extensive programme does require attention. Among its many pieces are moments when the direction becomes less clear and a mood lingers. The soft sound does not automatically make the length feel light. Fortunately, closer The Bond supplies a clear melodic resting point, its guitar gaining force from a simple foundation.
Lovers works best when given time. Cline preserves his identity within a large arrangement, with enough warmth to draw you close and enough unease to keep the romance from becoming overly smooth. The quiet playing remains expressive throughout its strongest passages.
