AUBURN LULL - 'Behind All Curses Of Thought Lies The Ability To Focus On Vacant Spaces' 7" (Zeal Records)
This 7" nods towards more electronically-based space rock / ambient elements of Auburn Lull than heard on prior releases; elements that interweave amongst cascading guitars and droning samples. The band and many others simply refer to this release by the name of it's title track, 'North Territorial'. Nice piece.
UK 5£
Europe 6£
World 7£
QUANTITY
ROTHKO - '291' 7" (Zeal Records)
Rothko are a UK 3-piece who employ a unique approach to ambient music. All three members play electric bass and often utilise a handful of effects to alter the bass guitar sound to otherworldly rumbles and pulses. Their songs wander between intertwining bass melodies and washes of sound. "291," is comprised of simple meandering bass melodies, with a set verse, chorus, verse structure. The parts themselves sound very open and freeform, which gives the song a spacious feel, like their tone collages, despite the absence of any ambient noises. The B-side, "St. Seno" combines soundscape with melody. The end result is fairly similar to the A-side but much easier to grab onto. Droning waves of sound provide a full backdrop for the simple harmonies of the two bass guitar parts. Faint clinking of bells and sound loops playing backwards create a dream-like ambience which smears the song into a short, to the point, bliss out.
UK 5£
Europe 6£
World 7£
QUANTITY
WHIP - 'Sewn In Seems' 7" (Zeal Records)
Folk Rock from Oregon. At the foundation of "Sewn In Seems" is everything you would expect from Jason Merritt (aka Whip); wonderfully raw front-porch singing and acoustic guitar. Normally Merritt ends there, letting the simplisty and naked beauty of the songs speak for themselves. However, with "Sewn in Seems," he has taken the song to a whole new level. Besides the addition of standing bass and piano, Merritt has added a lot of atmosphere to the song by his playing of some mellow flutes, wine glasses and manipulated tea kettles. The end result is spectacular.
