Welcome to Infernal Visions, a column where I review an album and pull a tarot card, oracle, or rune called forth by said album, sharing my interpretation of the card and how I feel it relates to the music. Let us bring together distortion and divinity. This week’s calling is shoegaze album In Between Strides by Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree (out now) and The Fool.
The Call: Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree — In Between Strides
Gliding along a trail covered by a canopy of treetops, rays of sunlight dance through the openings until breaking into a clearing of pure warmth and light with a euphoric exhale of catharsis, Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree brings hope in their dreamy fourth album In Between Strides. Long ambient tracks that shift and turn gently with atmospheric elements, crescendoing rises that build into a satisfying outpour, and layers of tones and textures make up these five tracks. Shoegaze, doom, post-rock, and psychedelic rock can all be heard and are woven together meaningfully.
In Between Strides opens with “Departure,” drums and synths welcome all before an airy guitar melody takes flight. Post-rock elements give this track some This Will Destroy You energy in long instrumental passages. Vocals are not introduced until two and a half minutes in. Quiet moments with glimmers of sporadic instrumentation and soft vocals are spotlighted midway through before things come back together and build slowly into a whirlwind of sound and emotion. “Respite” is the shortest on the album, featuring an acoustic guitar melody with atmospheric sounds of nature and water flowing in the background. The music transitions two thirds of the way through, with synth tones starting to creep forward, eventually overtaking the track and ringing out for the last minute, ethereally.
“Clutching at Straws” is a pure shoegaze track, at times reminiscent of Trauma Ray. This is another shorter piece on In Between Strides before venturing into the two longest tracks both spanning just over nine and a half minutes. “Elisa” is fully instrumental and plays with light and dark as it welcomes some ominous tones and the thudding of a bass drum almost emulating a heartbeat. It also has jazzier moments and features piano. It is easy to sink into and holds an underlying buzzing energy, creating a peaceful liveliness. “Return, Precipice” closes the album and combines a little something from each of the previous tracks, yet adding more doom elements, somehow channeling doom while still having this hopeful undercurrent and the juxtaposition is so interesting. This combination eventually switches over into pure doom about seven minutes in while also introducing harsh vocals.
Each song is beautifully written with a delicate flow that holds so much power and emotion without being overwhelming. Each piece is unique while fitting together as a journey. Bees Made Honey in the Vein Tree was not previously on my radar but I am so enamored with this album that I look forward to exploring their entire discography. For now, I will continue to indulge in the slow drip and sweetness the bees crafted in In Between Strides.
The Card: The Fool
Pulled upright, this major arcana card brings to mind new beginnings, risk, and innocence. This card is the very first in the arcana, numbered at 0, and rightfully so as it often indicates an unknown journey ahead and taking a leap of faith. It may show inexperience and maybe some naivety, though I do not take the fool as foolish but instead acting without reason on a whim and keeping an open mind as to what is to come. There is still some intention behind it and use of judgement in the form of intuition. Take the leap, but look first. When I pull this card, I take it as a sign to jump into new opportunities and paths that may start appearing before me if it feels right. I take it as a reminder to keep pathways open and approach new choices and options with a clear head and move forward bravely with abandon. It is a reminder that everything has potential and it is okay to be spontaneous. Courageously move forward while keeping this card in the back of your mind as a reminder to be present, be open, and be mindful.
Lyrically, In Between Strides speaks of a journey of uncertain outcomes. Even the method to creating this album correlates to The Fool as the band took a more spontaneous approach to song writing, opening up spaces and letting the music flow freely without hesitation or fear. They recorded one song at a time without knowing what the next would sound like and the listening experience reflects that—an unknown journey—not knowing what is to come in the next song, what path will be displayed ahead. I love this pairing and the freedom, beauty, and optimism relayed in both the music and the card.
Blessed be.
–Angela
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