#craig b

[travelbinge]

By Craig B

Fewston, West Yorkshire, England

[chilltifi]

[rainingmusic]

ISIS & Aereogramme - Low Tide.

[rainingmusic]

Aereogramme - No really, everything's fine

[captainoflies]

A Mote Of Dust - A Mote Of Dust

One of my all time favourite songwriters is Craig B. I first came into contact with his music in the early noughties with Aereogramme, a band that played a truly unique brand of post-rock mixing the serene and volatile. In their near decade long lifespan Aereogramme released some of my all time favourite records with Craig B’s beautiful vocals and powerful lyrics being the lynch pin of every stellar release. After Aereogramme disbanded in 2007 it wasn’t long before Craig B returned from the wilderness with fellow Aereogramme alumni and guitarist Iain Cook with the Unwinding Hours. With the rest of the band scattered to the wind in various projects the Unwinding Hours took on the role of Aereogramme’s spiritual successor, keeping the same ethereal tones and creativity but banishing the more ugly chaotic side that made the band such a bewilderingly difficult act to market. After two albums and a few EPs however news on the Unwinding Hours seemed to dry up. The reason for this was Iain Cook’s synth-pop project Chvrches skyrocketing from left field obscurity to commercial success. Uneasy about using a name that relates directly to the pairs work together A Mote Of Dust is the new moniker for Craig B’s latest musical output and the projects debut self titled album has just been independently released through Craig’s own Babi Yaga label.

The first thing you notice about A Mote Of Dust is the sheer stripped back minimalism of the music when compared to Craig’s other works. Most of the spartan compositions relying on just Craig’s beautifully melodic vocals, acoustic guitar and piano laid down by Graeme Smillie. As always Craig’s writing is stark and affecting in it’s honesty and poignancy, carefully walking the tightrope between sorrow and joy like only he knows how. Die-hard Aereogramme fans will know that even with nothing but the backing of a solitary guitar Craig B can still make magic happen, the band having released a slew of acoustic tour EPs and much of this brilliant simplicity is what makes this album so infectious. From the upbeat poppy nuances of Work Of Our Hands with it’s almost choral chorus to the darker brooding Pull Me Back In with its fuzzy synths A Mote Of Dust never trails off and keeps you equally invested and captivated. It is the sort of album that is instantaneously enjoyable.

Overall A Mote Of Dust is not just another great addition to Craig B’s illustrious body of work but the sort of album I know I will find myself going back to again and again. It’s a sincere and honest record that speaks to me, and an overdue return of a personal musical hero. Available on limited heavyweight vinyl I highly recommend you pick up a copy. Stream/Download/Physical: https://amoteofdustofficial.bandcamp.com/album/a-mote-of-dust-2

[halalcoolj]

C-Murder - Duck & Run Feat Fiend

Life Or Death 1998

No Limit

[clarityandchaos]

Turd Metal

Craig B (The Unwinding Hours, Aereogramme) compiled a playlist for Glasgow PodcArt of songs from his "Life Record Boxes." The whole thing is  worth a read and listen, but I especially loved this line on Metallica: 

It was unique at the time and became their last great moment before disappearing up their own arses and releasing some of the worst, turd metal you could possibly ever hear.

Spoken like a trve Scottish music genius. The song he picked, Dyers Eve off of ...And Justice For All, is below. At least until Lars Ulrich makes YouTube remove it.