Padden, Daniel – “Pause For The Jet” – [Dekorder]

Thurston Hunger   6/6/2014   A Library, CD

2007 release from erstwhile Volcano the Bear member on the
ever-excellent Dekorder label. Padden, an ardent multi-
instrumentalist, can be an Ensemble of One, and this release
features an array of his own homespun sounds. “An Inappropriate
Exclamation Mark” and “Three Farewells” have some friendly
help, but much of the gentle piano, the forlorn clarinet,
the percussion walking with a hitch, all come from Padden.
His voice too, has a sweet ache (and a gentle Glaswegian
accent hint…check out “English Again”). The album starts
with a far more stiking buzz, overlapping vocals and maybe
a ha’penny nyckleharp. Drone folk with avant scrape to start
that number, but then there’s a pack of clown horns that
struts through at the end before a strapping slappy acoustic
bass opens the door to a bunch of drunken singing sailors
on “Marseille Tape.” The title, and the quality of the
recording, make one wonder if this were recorded out by
the biggest tree on a meadow. At the same time, you could
tell me this was the soundtrack to a radio play starring
you, and I’d believe it. Consistent confusion makes sense,
and if you subscribe to the VtB sonic logic as I do, you’ll
find this a sound release in all senses. One that beckons you
to let the tracks bleed together like the blood brothers they
are. “Full Colour Lemon-ade” and other deformed delights!
-Thurston Hunger