Austin-based duo Clay Walton and John Wilkins have been making music together as Fires Were Shot since 1998 and, if as it is said, they use little more than their acoustic guitars and some pedals, the heterogeneousness of their sonic palette truly is impressive. The duo quietly and unceremoniously strums along creating relaxing and almost trance-inducing soundscapes loosely structured around loops of themselves and smeared with thick layers of lush reverbs, sometimes long delays, and other eerie unidentified ambiance or background noise. Engulfing, ethereal and definitely a bit noir, their sound is simple yet powerful and mysterious. "Awakened by a Lonely Feud" collects eleven pieces, which are like small vignettes, openings or windows into a state of mind that can be yours or might have been theirs when they played this music. At times their approach reminds me a bit of a stripped down and more minimalistic version of Lycia, but they also could be compared to Brian Eno's quietest records (think "Apollo") or some of Steve Reich's or Terry Riley's more loopey and droney chapters.
"Awakened by a Lonely Feud" comes 7 years after "Solace" was released on Asphodel rec and is available as a CD, a 150-gram double vinyl LP and an mp3 download from their new (also) Austin based label Quiet Design's website.