Songs of Ascension
Meredith Monk · 2011
67 min · 21 tracks · opera
A meditative exploration of voice and sound, weaving intricate textures that evoke the passage of time and the cycles of nature.
Top tracks — play these first
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Clusters 1 — This opening track exemplifies Monk's signature use of layered vocals and unconventional harmonies, setting the tone for the album's ethereal quality.
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Vow — In this track, Monk's voice explores intimate emotions through minimalistic yet powerful phrasing, showcasing her poetic approach to vocal expression.
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Ascent — The closing track, an expansive piece that encapsulates the album's themes of elevation and reflection, allows Monk's voice to soar in dynamic crescendos.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate vocal textures and innovative structures create a unique listening experience that rewards repeated plays.
What we noticed
- The album features a series of vocal pieces that utilize extended techniques, creating a rich tapestry of sound that shifts in texture and intensity.
- Several tracks incorporate silence and pauses as integral elements, allowing the listener to reflect on the sounds and their meanings.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- transcendent vocal explorations
- meditative focus for reflection
- gradual ascent through sound
- immersive listening in solitude
Maybe skip if you
- seeking immediate gratification
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Songs of Ascension' was released in 2011, Meredith Monk had established herself as a pioneering figure in avant-garde music and performance art. This album followed her acclaimed works from the 1970s and 1980s, marking a continued evolution in her explorations of vocal techniques and compositional forms, showcasing her unique blend of music, movement, and visual art.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Joan La Barbara· Tania León· Philip Glass
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Clusters 1 3:17
- 2 Strand (Gathering) 1:55
- 3 Winter Variation 1:51
- 4 Cloud Code 3:32
- 5 Shift 1:52
- 6 Mapping 2:07
- 7 Summer Variation 3:17
- 8 Vow 3:12
- 9 Clusters 2 2:28
- 10 Falling 2:54
- 11 Burn 4:16
- 12 Strand (Inner Psalm) 3:12
- 13 Autumn Variation 2:48
- 14 Ledge Dance 1:50
- 15 Traces 1:20
- 16 Respite 5:57
- 17 Mapping Continued 1:29
- 18 Clusters 3 2:09
- 19 Spring Variation 4:03
- 20 Fathom 4:37
- 21 Ascent 9:27
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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