Poise Is the Greater Architect

1. Isola

2. Rana

3. BPD

4. I Want To Know

5. Blatchford

6. Lady Folly

7. Nux Vomica

8. In My Sleep

9. Disturbed

10. Guilty Kisses

Editorial Reviews

Alternative Press
"An alluring mix of trip hop, ambient jazz and electronica, all supported by breathy female vocals."

Product Description
Emerging out of the vibrant San Diego underground, ILYA creates languishing and soothing musical textures that tap into the subconscious stream of thought. ILYA's full-length debut for Second Nature Recordings conveys a provocative blend of sounds and styles that are quiet and haunting one moment, a wall of sound and explosive percussion the next. Combining elements of PORTISHEAD, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION and MASSIVE ATTACK, with caressing vocals reminiscent both of BJÖRK’s breathlessness and FIONA APPLE’s poetic beauty, resulting in an elegant tapestry of trip-hop, atmospheric rock, electronica, and ambient jazz.

Poise Is the Greater Architect

Tracks:

Isola
Rana
BPD
I Want To Know
Blatchford
Lady Folly
Nux Vomica
In My Sleep
Disturbed
Guilty Kisses

Album Description

Emerging out of the vibrant San Diego underground, ILYA creates languishing and soothing musical textures that tap into the subconscious stream of thought. ILYA's full-length debut for Second Nature Recordings conveys a provocative blend of sounds and styles that are quiet and haunting one moment, a wall of sound and explosive percussion the next. Combining elements of PORTISHEAD, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION and MASSIVE ATTACK, with caressing vocals reminiscent both of BJÖRK's breathlessness and FIONA APPLE's poetic beauty, resulting in an elegant tapestry of trip-hop, atmospheric rock, electronica, and ambient jazz.

Album Description

Full title - Poise Is The Greater Architect. Emerging out of the vibrant San Diego underground, Ilya creates languishing and soothing musical textures that tap into the subconscious stream of thought. This is their debut for Second Nature Recordings, conveying a provocative blend of sounds and styles that are quiet and haunting one moment, a wall of sound and explosive percussion the next. Resulting in an elegant tapestry of trip-hop, atmospheric rock, electronica and ambient jazz. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

A lawsuit needs to occur... it's that simple........2006-08-09

This ILYA is not the ILYA of "They died for beauty."

This Ilya does a sort of trip/trance sound that is monotonoues and repetitive. Appeals to some, not me.

The OTHER ILYA "They died for beauty" does a Jazz/lounge inspired but lively sort of music with a lot more... polish to it. ANd a woman who can truly SING, whereas Ms. Rojas (the San Diego Ilya) has a feeble, anon-singers voice that is pleasent, but it's clearly untrained.

incredible albumn.......2004-11-19

I first saw this band play live a couple of years agao and was absolutely amazed. They are in the top 3 best live bands on my list, and that is a very big list. What got me? The complexity of the music, the beauty and grace of the performers, and the tightest set i have seen. The set ended in a huge build-up where everybody was getting into it. the drums were going hard, the keyboards making beautiful noise, the guitar player going crazy with a bow in hand; and then nothing. it abruptly ended with no feedback or reverb throughout the venue. I was fore-warned about this, but still dropped my jaw at how i was about to give up on earplugs and then there was complete silence.

Even though nothing can compare to the live show, the CD is almost just as amazing in its own respects. Blanca's vocals are mesmerizing and ethereal, the musicianship and songwriting is superb. I always pull this CD out when sharing music with other people, and they always thank me for it.

Windy dreampop.......2004-10-29

Ilya makes a haunting debut, mingling jazz, classical and airy trip-hop in "Poise is the Greater Architect." This San Diego band has the misfortune to have the same name as British sleeper hit Ilya (called "San Ilya" in the US), but their own arty trip-hop is a worthy listen.

"Isola" starts off strong with a windy background and subtle percussion, before shifting into the bluesy "Rana" and "BPD." Then the tone shifts into lamenting, haunting ballads such as the neo-classical "Lady Folly," only broken by the more poppish "Blatchford." Finally it winds down to the ethereal trip-hop lament of "Guilty Kisses."

Mixing classical and trip-hop with jazz and ambient sounds like a potential disaster. But Ilya do a good job in their debut -- the only problem is that some of the songs sound a little too similar, structurally speaking. But they have good flow and a soothing, haunting sound that will linger on even when the album is over. It's pretty music, in the tradition of Portishead.

Piano, keyboard and percussion are the musical core of this album, although they rarely pick up the tempo. Hank Morton and Matthew Baker provide smooth guitar and airy keyboard, backed up by beats by bassist John Mattos and drummer Geoff Hill. But despite the mundane array of instruments, the result is enchanting: a blend of classical beauty and trippy-trancey airiness.

Blanca Rojas has an undeniably beautiful voice, clear and ethereal. A bit of Beth Gibbons, a bit of Emiliana Torrini, a bit of Hope Sandoval. At times her male bandmates offer supporting vocals; in "I Want To Know," her vocals are completely interwoven with theirs. But in songs like "Lady Folly," her sweet vocals stand out on their own.

Take a mix of jazz/trip-hop/classical and add some torchy vocals, and you have Ilya's "Poise is the Greater Architect." An entrancing listen, and not one to be missed.

Awful! Not the Ilya of "They Died For Beauty"!!!!!!!.......2004-09-29

Please be warned, do not be blinded by the indulgent opinions of the other reviewers, this is not the Ilya of "Bellissimo," and not the Ilya that you may have had recommended to you. I can't find any evidence that this is event the same band. First, these shmoes are from the US and recorded this album in 2003. Ilya is from northern Britain and also recorded their album in 2003? Coincidence? YES! They are different bands with the same name! The only difference is...this band stinks. At least if what you are expecting is more of the gorgeous, smooth sound of "They Died for Beauty." This music is ambient, electronic gobbledygook that may appeal to those who have experience with Ecstasy, but it did not appeal to me. Amazon has this album listed incorrectly; THIS IS NOT THE SAME GROUP!!!!!! THEY ARE NOT EVEN ON THE SAME RECORD LABEL!!!! I tried to get my money back from Amazon for this junk, but to no avail (yet!). Don't make the same mistake I did! Stay far away from this American version of "Ilya"!!!!

A true work of art.......2004-07-30

With their 2003 debut, Ilya has created an album that is so artfully done that it sucks you in and never releases you. In fact, it FEELS like art. The electronic flourishes and quick percussion in the opening track, "Isola", get things moving. But, it's the more unique songs like "I Want To Know", a duet in minor key and "Blatchford", whose one verse is repeated through the song like a mantra, that linger in your head for days. However, when Ilya does rock out a bit, as in "Disturbed" (mostly near the end of the song), it's more than just noise. It's a blend of musical structures that some can only dream of creating. There are no weak tracks here, only songs that build and build to a quiet, gentle resting place. This album is a masterpiece.

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