Beans – “Crane Wars ” – [Zum Media]

mitch   8/30/2006   12-inch, A Library

Vancouver quintet returns with second LP (after
‘Tired Snow’EP in 2000), continuing their blend
of standard/experimental rock instrumentation,
homemade string/percussion, electronics, turn-
tables + tape machines. A compelling work of
studio craft & musical spontaneity, BEANS use
textural guitars/drums to great effect, providing
the occasional voice almost as afterthought to
punctuate the clashes and closures. BEANS
(Damon Henry on bass, Ida Neilson on trumpet,
piano & accordion, Andrew Herfst with drums/
loops/f/x, guitarist Stefan Udell + vox and gtr.
from Tygh Runyan) have scored two Canadian
films (‘Red Deer? and ’13 Trains?) and are
collaborating with David Crompton on a third.
A multi-media sensibility connects it all, from
dissonance to blaring horns to running water;
weariness dashed to bits by dizzying frenzy in
an unbalance of random tempo & eerie lyricism.
Courageously confounding. MITCH
September 2001