 Hollydrift
"Waiting For The Tiller" CD
Parasomnic
Records
Genres: ambient, experimental electronic
Parasomnic
PMB 2211
10002 Aurora Ave N #36
Seattle WA 98133
Nov 15 - 21 2004 |
I've always liked Hollydrift's uniquely anti-academic approach
to experimental music. Instead of composing conceptual, serious
"avant-garde" electronic compositions, Mathias Anderson
uses samples and effects to create strong mood pieces,
assemblages of sound used to engulf the audience in a dark, mysterious
atmosphere. "Lakeshore Skycue," for example, sets the
tone with a number of creepy sound clips before drowning the listener
in layers of warmly mechanical ambience - as a result, it's one of the
best tracks on Waiting For The Tiller, Hollydrift's
first record for the recently-formed electronic Parasomnic label. As is the case with his previous work, Anderson's new music
is distinctly different, so it will only be accessible to a
select few. This is unfortunate, though - the sounds on this
record, while sometimes unusual, are never disparate in nature; all of
this album blends well, sustaining an eerie, flowing mood. I
would expect most open-minded listeners to really enjoy Tiller's
atypical sound if they give it a chance, especially on "Marisa Relay" and the noisy,
climactic "From An Old Horizon." Experimental soundscapes
are what fill Waiting For The Tiller, but they are never tepid
or bland - partly because, unlike many avant-electro artists, Anderson
doesn't treat himself like the Second Coming. Clock it
up, this is yet another success for Hollydrift.
87%
Matt Shimmer [Vitals:
10 tracks, distributed by the
label, released 2004] |
