Humcrush – “Hornswoggle ” – [Rune Grammafon]

More props to the Rune Gram-mofo’s, their label is already
godhead for bring us the sounds of Supersilent, but even w/o
that, they find ways of marrying electronics off to avant
improv and odd time selections that don’t touch the damning
third rail of “prog.” I guess this duo of Thomas Stronen and
Stale Storlokken liked the track “Humcrush” from their initial
RG release so much they’ve adopted it as their calling card.
All instro cuts, often they feel like Oskar Sala sneaking out
almost onto the dance floor. Live drums are essential here,
I’m seeing more and more bumperstickers and other signs from
deities proclaiming the importance of such drums, and Stronen
can kick a robot’s ass to the scrapyard and back. I’m not sure
which is Storlokken’s bigger contribution here, his seeking
sci-fi keyboards or the sterling production which keeps a
sonic spotlight well fixed on the wrists and risks of Stronen.
The album has a nice circular feel, bookended by a pair of
“Cyborgs,” but them droids have tablas in their chests. On the
title track, the squelchy trill (is that a Leslie speaker he’s
spinning audio gold out of?) is repeated, so it qualifies as a
riff, and adds a whiff of funk to the track, but this duo is
so dedicated to invention. That cut and all of the rest just
are bursting with ideas and flair. “Knucker” moves like a
knuckleball…try hitting the triangle they ring. “Roo” almost
taps a Tangerine Dream, but traps it in an iron calliope lung.
This album takes your breath away, but gives it back.

-Thurston Hunger