When Paul McLaney (who is The Impending Adorations) released his series of progressive-rock-influenced singles earlier this year, I was quietly worried we might not get the fourth instalment of his "G.I.F.T." anthology (the acronym using the first letter of each of the album titles). The first three were "Gestalt", "Intentions", and "Further", and now we have "Threshold". Each is a masterpiece of electronic post-rock using found sounds and ambient textures to build evocative sonic landscapes, topped off by Paul's distinctive vocal stylings. I think this might just be one of the greatest bodies of work put out by a NZ artist, although I am not sure how many people know it exists. To a certain degree Paul's music is an acquired taste, but I have found that once I discarded artistic prejudice, it has been immensely rewarding to listen to. There are several dominant tracks on the latest album, my favourites being "Each Life's Legacy", "Threshold", and this track "Land of the Long White Cloud", from my experience one of the more political of Paul's tracks, although it is far from an overt statement. Rather I interpret it is a subtle lament at the destructive short-termism of modern neo-liberal New Zealand. The lyrics are provided below. Paul put the video together himself, using found footage. It works beautifully. If you would like to hear more of The Impending Adorations' music, you can listen/buy at the link below. Please buy it if you like it.
Land of the Long White Cloud lyrics...
Flags in the harbour like vertigo reach into the distance of letting go
The Sun's shining like a bonfire in the sky
Voice of the ocean in the throat of a shell
Spectators in the frontline sell
The possibilities of everything that money can buy
Land of the Long White Cloud
Your time is up
The Sun beats down
Land of the Long White Cloud
You filled your cup just to pour it out
A loud rhythm of silence greets
The chorus of approval from these dead end streets
The Sun's shining like a furnace in the sky
Histories for sale at the highest price
Auctions of ambitions offer up the birthrights
Of generations yet to claim them
Land of the Long White Cloud
Your time is up
The Sun beats down
Land of the Long White Cloud
You filled your cup just to pour it out
God defend us
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