And on we go!
Falling Stacks - Husky
First thing that struck me about this track was the highly
Steve Albini-esque production: aggressive drums, noisy guitars, a good grasp of
dynamics (as can be heard particularly towards the end of the track, as the
loud noise gives way to some wicked funkiness from the rhythm section), and a
general rawness akin to that that can
be heard in Albini productions like P. J. Harvey’s Rid Of Me and Pixies’ Surfer
Rosa.
This, of course, is definitely a good thing, as I generally
see Albini’s as pretty much the apex of good production as far as this sort of
noisy punk-influenced rock goes: suitably raw and lo-fi, without neglecting the
vital (yet frequently somewhat ignored) components of bass and drums.
Fittingly, the other aspects of Falling Stacks’ music bring
to mind the sort of band who’d work with Albini – the semi-spoken vocals
competing with the angry instrumentation shouting lines like “...and that dog
doesn’t look like a husky; it’s way too skinny...” and (I think) “... I see
1000 images, I just walk around all day...” brings to mind Andy ‘Falco’
Falkous, of Future of the Left, and formerly of Mclusky.
I Am Halo - Little Planet
With a title like ‘Little Planet’, and a genre that is
listed by the artist as ‘Moon Addict’, one wouldn’t be blamed for expecting
something spacey and otherworldly. Furthermore, one shouldn’t, because ‘Little Planet’ is definitely very spacey.
I should elaborate that this “spaceyness” isn’t so much in
the vein of classically ‘spaced-out’ bands like Spacemen 3 or Bardo Pond, but
more reflective of a sort of human wistfulness towards the stars that can be
heard in Radiohead’s ‘Subterranean Homesick Alien’ or in the work of ‘90s
post-rock band Laika – more a feeling of looking up in wonderment and curiosity
at the vast expanse of space.
In track, I Am Halo’s wistful, spacey atmosphere is fuelled by
the dreamy electronics, flutes, and echoing guitars; dreamlike lyrics like “in
the forest, I’m wandering lost” and “little planet watching me from above” that
are earthbound yet unquestionably looking upwards; and the general production
of the track, which is characterised by dense layering of these elements and by
a liberal use of reverb.
As interesting and adventurous as it is accessible, this
track is highly recommended, and also available on I Am Halo’s Bandcamp page,
on his self-titled album: http://iamhalo.bandcamp.com/album/i-am-halo
