Oh, how indie electronica of Arkitekchur (the Brooklyn-based Joseph Lisciandro, and others) to record and distribute their intriguing EP, Of Solids, Climate and Homes on CD-R (available on the label’s website, www.tbtmo.com). Perhaps this is just as well, as the album will be that much more precious to those who own it. Or something. It truly is a shame that this EP is not sold in every Sam Goody or Coconuts Music across America, because this is truly unique music worthy of a listen and quite rewarding for those who will take the time to listen carefully.
The two-track EP is comprised of one short opening track of pulsing glitch-tronica (“Yourself In”) and the title track, a 20-minute epic masterpiece of unusual power and subtlety. Moving slowly and amorphously throughout the track, different sounds appear and disappear in a haze, leaving an indelible impression before the sound fades into the distance. Certain identifiable noises can be picked out of the aural mélange — a train can be heard making its way through a fog of white noise and static; a woman speaks into a telephone, trapped in a short loop of repeated hellos; strummed upright bass, guitars and what sounds like a chugging engine make their way through the mire of sound. And, briefly at least, what sounds like a muted synth lingers oh-so-delicately with a gentle lilt that dissipates before other elements eventually build the intensity to a clattering climax.
What’s so incredibly appealing about this lengthy number is the uncertainty and mystery lurking beneath the many analog and digital sounds. At times, the music fades into near-nothingness, at others, a whole host of noises combine to create a warm, fuzzy, and dreamy atmosphere. This song is very much alive-constantly moving, forever changing, enticingly real, and utterly magnetic.