steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Harris Newman

"Accidents with Nature and Each Other" CD

Strange Attractors Audio House

Genres: experimental folk

Strange Attractors
PO Box 13007
Portland OR
97213-0007

June 6 - 12 2005

The John Fahey tradition continues, and this time it's in the form of a strong sophomore album from Strange Attractors staple Harris NewmanAccidents with Nature and Each Other is another instrumental folk record, filled with Newman's familiar guitar plucking, as well as the addition of percussion and glockenspiel on some of the tracks.  I really like "Cloud City" and "Driving All Night With Only My Mind" - they have strong atmospheres to them, expressing a calm though isolated emotion.  "Lake Shore Drive," meanwhile, caught my attention due to its detached, spacey feel - it's a very nice inclusion for this disc.  The more fast-paced tracks ("A Thousand Stolen Blankets to Keep You Warm at Night," for example) don't appeal to me as much, but they add a well-needed variety to the record - and they show off Newman's impressive technical abilities.

All in all, Accidents is a beautiful experimental folk record that is just waiting to submerge you in its glory.  Run out to the store and jump right in.

87%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 12 tracks, distributed by the label, released 2005]