Stars Of The Lid - And Their Refinement Of The Decline

Stars Of The Lid refers to the place between your eye and eye lid, where we all have our own colours and patterns we see with our peepers closed. Whilst having slightly more structure than 2001's The Tired Sounds Of…, Refinement is more of the same melancholic, droning synthesisers, sparse strings and percussion-less soundscapes that this Texan duo specialise in. Citing some obscure references but equally at home between Brian Eno and Angelo Badalamenti, the LP pulls off that distinctly ambient trick of mapping out distant vistas and inner realms at the same time. Initially underwhelming, it's a record that gets better as it goes on, so avoid the obvious temptation of letting this soundtrack your sleep. Instead, turn up the volume, close your eyes and immerse yourself in your own private cinema for best results. [Darren Carle]