Tag Archives: Peace & Feathers

Switched On – Amongst The Pigeons: Exit Strategy (Peace & Feathers)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Daniel Parsons has been busy in the last five years! Under the moniker Amongst The Pigeons he has now notched up seven albums, three in the last two calendar years.

The number 7…or more specifically, 007…assumed greater importance as he was writing Exit Strategy, with a fascination developing around the world of living a double life, and themes of spies and secrets in particular.

He has hinted that this might be a swansong for this particular pseudonym, but perhaps that means plans are afoot to go even deeper under cover!

What’s the music like?

A constant in the music of Amongst The Pigeons is the melodic activity, which is there in abundance wherever Parsons lends his talents. Exit Strategy is no different, with a bubbling cauldron of inventive beats, propulsive beats and rhythms that – while tending to the Bond theme – also broaden out to address current political and social concerns.

These are often delivered with a dash of wit, as in AI Heart U, which manages to be both humourous and a bit creepy at the same time! Monalisa Smile also straddles that emotional meeting point, while Sugercoated Poison is initially playful but grows into an imposing track of some stature.

Watch The World Burn is an intricate rhythmic workout, with bubbling mid-range sonics, while to complement it Cloudbursts takes a step back, panning out to a much bigger space. Space is also found during A Thousand Possibilities, through electronic music of a more delicate persuasion.

Parsons saves the best until last, Not Without Danger starting with watery loops that flow easily while the rhythms get progressively bigger, working to an epic finish.

Does it all work?

It does. The personal, intimate construction of Amongst The Pigeons music makes it easy to relate to, while there is always a hook to hang your coat on!

Is it recommended?

It is indeed. For anyone who enjoys electronic music with character and meaning, this is an easy album to recommend.

For fans of… DJ Food, Plaid, Orbital, Hexstatic

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Published post no.2,388 – Monday 9 December 2024

Switched On: Amongst The Pigeons – Embrace The Point Of No Return (Peace & Feathers)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Two years on from Silence Will Be Assumed as Acceptance, Daniel Parsons dons the feathers once more for his fifth album under the pseudonym Amongst The Pigeons. While the excellent 2021 opus railed against the pandemic and its accompanying politics in the UK, this one charts a more personal journey.

Daniel has always been refreshingly open about the anxiety with which he has to battle on a regular basis, and armed with a weighty production arsenal he has come out all guns blazing to take it on. Alongside the writing of this album his discovery of the benefits of running means Embrace The Point Of No Return – its title inspired by a Disclosure song – has a distinctive and regular spring in its step.

What’s the music like?

This is an album that fizzes with kinetic energy, moving with purpose but enjoying the scenery on its journey too. Parsons’ knowledge of electronica past and present informs his musical moves, but that doesn’t mean his writing is derivative in any way – merely that it is economical with its abundance of inspiration. For this is a set of tracks packed with melodic content, busy rhythms and uplifting chord progressions.

Among the many highlights are Nightshade, where an excellent, slightly slower number is spiced up with Caribbean flavouring. Swipe For Latex has a cheery disposition, bright colours and distinctive earworms. The title of This Is More Than I Signed Up For suggests the point in any run where the runner is questioning why they’ve gone out in the wind and the rain, but again it is characteristically shot through with upbeat musical motifs. By contrast Who Do You Have To Go Home For? has a slightly softer centre as it answers the question.

Elswhere tracks like And Then We Dance Again and Shatter To Mend head for the middle of the floor, happy to lose themselves in musical bliss. Trespass, meanwhile, makes a successful and nippy getaway run.

As with previous albums Parsons doesn’t hang around, meaning each track, developed in his garden shed, is finished through economical means while throwing in some nice touches of humour.

Does it all work?

It certainly does. This is a wholly instrumental album, meaning the observations of Acceptance are not so immediate – but if you listen closely Embrace The Point Of No Return still has a lot to say.

Is it recommended?

Enthusiastically. Amongst The Pigeons has proved a consistently rewarding source of beat-driven music, and it delivers in spades again here. If, like Parsons, you want to counteract anxiety or if you are a keen runner, get this as part of your soundtrack. It is a very giving companion!

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