CaliforniaStop. (you have to include the period, which is endlessly confusing to my computer) is the band name for a Wichita, Kansas recording artist who prefers to remain nameless. The anonymity is intriguing, but also kind of a shame as this multi-instrumentalist deserves to be known. The band website features beautiful but mysterious portraits of the Fender guitars, amps, stomp boxes and keyboards used to create this music, but no faces.
CaliforniaStop. points to the post-rock bands Explosions In The Sky and We Will Destroy You as influences, to which I would add Brian Eno. The sound of this album is consistently dreamlike with shimmering guitars, finely-polished fuzz and gorgeous digital patches. “Everything Is Different But Nothing Ever Changes” opens the album with a simple guitar pattern upon which overdubs are carefully woven, each instrument claiming only as much sonic space as needed to fill this ethereal landscape. “Cold Hands Warm Heart” ventures into Eno “Music For Films” territory with a short but evocative lament, layered with wailing, moaning guitar reverb.“The Space Between” begins with a basic piano riff which erupts into thick but clean slabs of fuzz guitar, aggressive but melodic in the Bob Mould vein. “Never In Doubt” again alternates airy, quiet keyboard figures with hardcore guitar, this time with the addition of Ebow-like fuzz swoops. “Red Thread” modifies the formula somewhat with a more expansive 4-chord picking motif with a more country sound and pleasing modulations. My favorite moment in this album is when the end of “Red Thread” blends seamlessly into “Bad For The People” by way of a vocal-sounding keyboard sample, which leads into a nice chiming chord pattern. Here, as elsewhere, the bass is unobtrusive but inventive. “Wisdom” ends the proceedings with a Pink Floyd-esque reverie, featuring some of the best guitar work on the album with a glorious ocean wave conclusion. Without making it sound like a wet noodle, Names & Facesis one of the most gentle recent musical works I’ve heard, while still leaving plenty of room for biting Fender riffs. I could almost feel my alpha brain waves taking a well-earned vacation.
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Critique/insightWe are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.
Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook
Archives
May 2024
|