Packaging Notes
10" comes in a thick paperboard jacket with credit insert.
CD comes in a custom paperboard mini-gatefold jacket with a printed CD dust sleeve.
- Prices in CAD; currency converter in menu bar
- Physical goods ship via air mail from Montreal
- Shipping cost estimate shown in cart
- Please read our shipping FAQ here
Tracklist
1. Gold Dust
2. If His Shadow Moves On The Water
3. Blue Lips
4. Four-Alarm Fire
5. The Principles Of Science
Running time: 00:23:10
Packaging Notes
10" comes in a thick paperboard jacket with credit insert.
CD comes in a custom paperboard mini-gatefold jacket with a printed CD dust sleeve.
Description Sackville released two albums on Montreal label Mag Wheel through the mid-90s, and then brought these five songs to Constellation as the group was winding down. Sackville made wonderfully damaged roots music, charting a path through country and pop traditions while distilling a wider range of folk, rock and avant influences. The Principles of Science is their most cohesive, accomplished and modern work, driven by Gabe Levine’s vocals and finger-picked acoustic guitar. Violin by band co-founder Genevieve Heistek (Pest 5000) is rich in drones and understated melodic accents. Bassist Harris Newman (Howard North) and guitarist/pianist Ian Ilavsky (Sofa) add to certain tracks, and drummer Pat Conan (Tinker) joins the band on two songs, highlighted by his sparse, expressive playing on “Four-Alarm Fire”. A guest vocal appearance by Jessica Moss on “If His Shadow Moves on the Water” rounds out the cast of Montreal musicians involved in these sessions, which took place at Mom and Pop Sounds and at the Constellation Room in 1998. Our first 10" slab of vinyl.
Credits
Pat Conan: drumsGenevieve Heistek: violin, vocals
Ian Ilavsky: piano, organ, guitar
Gabe Levine: vocals, lyrics, guitar
Harris Newman: bass
Guests
Jessica Moss: voice on TRACK 2Recorded and mixed by Howard Bilerman at Mom and Pop Sounds in Montreal, winter 1998. Piano and acoustic guitar recorded at the Constellation Room. Mastered by Harris Newman.
Reviews
"Experimentalists who give the raw elements of mountain music an avant-garde twist…at times starkly beautiful, but just as often icily transfixing, stalled in slow motion" – NME
"The music seeps into your head slowly, gently easing its way into your consciousness like a slow trickle of water through a cracked window. The gentle, finger-picked guitar melodies seem almost fragile, their notes guarded and supported by languorous piano and mournful violin. Nothing is rushed." – Splendid
"[The Principles of Science] concentrates their broken down roots Americana into a melancholy mish mash of heartfelt poignancy. Slow and moving, Sackville’s singer/songwriter/guitarist Gabe Levine displays a featherweight touch as he draws half seen sketches of half seen situations." – Luke
"A warm swoon of gentle, eerie, roots-inspired music." – Stylus
Related Releases
Nisht Azoy Black Ox Orkestar
Clatter for Control Hangedup
Kicker In Tow Hangedup
Ver Tanzt? Black Ox Orkestar
Hangedup Hangedup
Please note that due to covid-19 measures, your LP/CD order will not ship until a) public health measures allow our warehouse employees to safely return to work (in Montréal, Canada); b) shipping will not put undue strain on essential services in your destination country/region; c) we feel confident you'll reliably receive your order in a timely fashion once we've sent it out.
Select a currency
Currency conversion rates for informational purposes only. Orders will be charged in CAD.