|
|
|
BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About
LOTD
|
Tarentel:
Paper White, Big Black Square
The San Francisco band, Tarentel has released its latest accomplishment, a two part compilation called Paper White, Big Black Square. Paper White consists of four minimalist tracks that were recorded in conjunction with We Move Through Weather. For a band known for their atmospheric and evocative sound, the opening track, Isalais Straight is easily one of the catchiest tunes Ive heard from them. The forceful drums march through your head during the songs first half before disintegrating into static and piano. Tarentel evokes new images through their music. The songs tell the stories of life, differing for one person or the next, and the album is a journey of experimentation and discovery. Letter to Hummingbirds is dominated by repetitive guitar melodies that surround and envelope you by their warmth. The fullness of the piece soothes and calms the hardest nerves. The rare moments of verbal speech are merely catalysts to release you from the trance. Tarentel does not need words, as the music does all the speaking necessary. Golden State Overnight strips itself down to only the most basic of sounds. Backed by distorted static, the track is centered on pounding drums and pouring rain. But the track ends too abruptly. You become captivated with the sound, and suddenly it disappears. Paper White calmly soothes. The end of a day or the early morning is described through the quiet acoustic guitar and droning backdrop. Haunting and captivating, the track allows for an incredible experience in the universe. Marching drums carry on forming the structure of the song, mingled with the quiet sounds of contemplation. Finally, the piece disintegrates into a minimal combination of rising distortion. Big Black Square is a 40-minute improvisational piece. The lack of intentional composition is freeing and beautiful. Out of the left, Whered those lasers come from? is shouted across a room, followed by the sounds of sporadic raindrops and grinding electronic noise. Dissolution, throbbing, and absorption create the backbone for the piece. Tarentel continually delivers ephemeral music that is atmospheric, captivating, and even trance-inducing. It leaves the listener waiting for the next change, anticipating what is to come next. Paper White, Big Black Square is a beautiful album and well worth the money.
This album can be purchased at Amazon, Insound, and CD Universe About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
