BELLA1223CD
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3 December 2021
Since the demise of his previous band Ultimate Painting, Jack Cooper – under his Modern Nature guise – has never stopped looking ahead, exploring and reaching for something further. Since 2019, he’s released an EP, last year’s mini album Annual, one full length LP, one 7” and three live cassettes – in the process mapping out astonishing new terrain. Island Of Noise presents an obvious new peak in his discography.
“Mesmerising… A treasure trove of interesting musical ideas, as well as a source of restorative solace. The Guardian – 4 stars ****
“On Island Of Noise Modern Nature’s Jack Cooper folds together much of what he’s already done – illuminated pop, exploratory improvisations, post-Canterbury prog – and locates a common thread, expanding outwards with the help of free-music pioneers saxophonist Evan Parker and bassist John Edwards.” Uncut – 9/10
“Jack Cooper captures a sense of mystery and magic on his second album as Modern Nature, using gentle folk rock as the base for a subtle evocation of peacefulness.” The Times – 4 stars ****
“Led by Jack Cooper, Modern Nature have been forging a one-of-a-kind sound… A sublime experience that blends folk, jazz and free-improv in an understated but elegantly haunting way… Even at its quietest Island Of Noise is an invocation of thunderous beauty.” Shindig – 5 stars *****
“Songs that marry folk-inflected introspection to brass and strings improvisation… When Cooper’s whispered vocals and shimmering electric guitar meet Jeff Tobias’ meandering brass arabesques, as they do on sublime album standouts Dunes and Masques, there is a jazzily transcendent, ineffably British Isles magic at play here.” MOJO
“Island Of Noise is a giant step forward… There are killer tunes everywhere… A gently devastating and quietly important album.” Record Collector – 4 stars ****
“Island Of Noise excites a sense of mystery which has the force of magic.” Rock’n’Reel – 5 stars *****
“A quiet storm to get lost in.” PROG
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