Lowe, Robert A. A. & Lazar, Rose – “Eclipses” – [Thrill Jockey Records]

Lady Labyrinth   4/2/2014   12-inch, A Library

Soundslike: Gentle Star-child Synth Drone – Fugue states from Outer Space

Repetitious melodic lines circle and wander over swirling synth drones in this 2010 Thrill Jockey release. You may be more familiar with Chicago artist Lowe’s ambient solo work as “Lichens”, which will clue you in to the general delicate and thoughtful ambient feel of this LP.

Comprised completely of semi-modular and polyphonic analogue synth sounds, the music has a gentle, alien sci-fi feel. Avoiding mechanical “back beats”, Lowe relays mainly on repeating fugue-like keyboard lines to move the pieces along structurally.

This album is an extension of a visual/musical collaboration between the husband and wife pair called “Gyromancy” defined as: fortune telling by walking in a circle until dizzy; the fortune is determined by where the person falls.

The accompanying artwork has the same delicate analogue geometric feel as the music. Loop along the wobbly circular astral path to planet rock candy dreamland… LL.