Music Reviews

Internal Improv – “[small]” – [Scotch Tapes]

lombard   7/20/2010   A Library, Cassette

Limited to 25 copies, this 2009 cassette release by Los Angeles-area musician David Lucien (aka Internal Improv or [dav’s] Internal Improv) is a quick jaunt through his lo-fi experimental artistry. Super low male vocals, guitar, and tape fuzz begin it all and lead into a twinkly piece with some minimal beats. My favorite is the final piece, “Small,” with its muffled male voice and a lady joining in with the refrain “my body is a failure.” Quite evocative material.

Sovetskaya Gone – “Sashweights and Bags of Birdshot” – [Anathema Sound]

cinder   7/14/2010   A Library, Cassette

SG is Kevin Danchisko, out of Los Angeles. This was a 2009 cassette release of synth music, straight to tape. Subtle melodic prettiness, and textural tones. Rhythmic analog hiss alongside floating keys. Very tranquil, gorgeous and relaxing.

Ajilvsga – “Little Earth” – [Peyote Tapes]

cinder   7/14/2010   A Library, Cassette

A dark duo out of Oklahoma. This is a cassette release, with two 10 minute tracks of dreary drones. Fuzzed and scratchy feedback/amps over a hauntingly evil melancholic drone. From what I’ve read, track 2 is track 1 played backwards!

Altar Eagle – “Judo Songs” – [Digitalis Industries]

lombard   5/4/2010   A Library, Cassette

On 2009’s limited (125 copies-now sold out) cassette release “Judo Songs,” Oklahoma project Altar Eagle (aka Digitalis owners and wife-husband duo Eden Hemming and Brad Rose) presents 5 hazy, fuzzy tracks full of spacy beauty. Keyboards may remind you of an ancient church organ or maybe the 1980s or perhaps the 1990s shoegaze or 4AD scene, with barely audible vocals by Eden peeking through and competing with shimmer and buzz. I know the word mesmerizing is overused, but after listening to this upwards of 10 times, it’s an apt description of the relaxed and altered state that this lovely music will put you in.