AOTY #10: S. Carey - Range Of Light

Range Of Light is less of an album and more of a soundscape. The ambient sounds found throughout the nine tracks bristle with praise of nature's beauty, and as a native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, S. Carey wouldn't have it any other way

Though he now has two solo albums under his belt, Carey is best known for his work with Bon Iver, where he acts as a drummer and backing vocalist for Justin Vernon's troop. He remains a member of the band, but Range of Light shows that he's capable of more than just being a supporting piece

Carey has a knack for capturing the serenity of nature in his songs, singing about his "favorite place on Earth," a fictional place he imagines through the eyes of a falcon, and several areas of Arizona and California that he would visit with his father as a child. He even posted visuals for each song on Instagram

At this point it may seem like Carey is a one trick pony with an obsession for the outdoors, but if you're playing the "nature" drinking game I promise you're in the clear from now on

What really sets him apart is his musical versatility. With his knowledge for the piano, guitar, and drums among others, he is able to bring several different sounds to his music - especially in the form of very unique percussion methods. Most notably transitioning smoothly from rain to a gentle pattering sound on "Creaking", and even making a beat of layered footsteps through the snow on "Neverending Fountain"

These are all great moments, but the album peaks at "Alpenglow", a beautiful ode to his wife and child where "each verse is that journey from meeting her to getting married and then having a baby." Its final verse ends with my personal favorite line on the entire album:

I can’t calm down
I’m flooding in spring
And swelling from the sound
And I am driftwood, foundThe song then continues for another minute and a half, letting that final line simmer in your head as a soaring instrumental takes its place. It's this simmering, thoughtful way that the album is meant to be taken in as you learn to appreciate what's around you, and your own personal range of light

- Brock Chenier

That's the first of our top 10, come back tomorrow for #9. While you wait, be sure to catch up on the list so far!