Starving Weirdos – “Land Lines” – [Amish Records]

mickeyslim   12/11/2012   12-inch, A Library

Frustrating sounds from Humboldt County’s own Starving Weirdos. Brian Pyle and Merrick McKinlay are the duo behind the name, joined by Aimee Hennessey, Steve Lazar, Monica Chavez and David Krepinevich. Five improvisations on this, their most recent release of sonic discourse and orchestral meanderings.

The whole thing sounds anxious and frustrated, like you’ve been waiting at the bus stop for over an hour, and the bus isn’t showing up, and you’re late for work or something. Ambient voices, piano sputterings, bizarre string sounds, chirping. Sometimes there’s even a beat in there somewhere, but it usually sneaks up on you. Alone I’d call it ‘space-out music,’ but I might mix it with some spoken word. Voices on A1 and B2. Drop the needle and enjoy!