endless endless endless: black talisman – this frankly is rather beautiful. in every way. handsomely packaged as some kind of laser etched shamanic artefact. and aurally the kindof shit that wouldn’t sound out of place on not not fun or next to james ferraro’s holy mountain output. self described as a post-noise duo that plays guitar and gameboys. i came expecting dj scotch egg instead i got a fountain of bliss. a balming wash of drawn out orgasmic whale noise, korgesque squelch and nes eight bit percussion.

they inhabit a soothing elseworld of guitar plink and fuzz and twinkling klang. it’s noise, but one enveloped in a snowy blanket of collaged and unwrapping, unfurling, evolving swoosh. oddly organic despite being made by machine, black talisman is a soothing, warm, pre-comedown elated treacle of melting harmony. it’s all blurred polaroids and repeated electrick agitation and loop upon loop of gentle tongue inside ye earholes. it’s occasionally unsettling, with a creepy boards of canada on downers feel, an almost psyched-out folk vibe. imagine the skaters brighter, murk-free sound filtered through the synthy japanesey machine clank and street chatter of blade runner’s ambience. a crude trope that in all likelihood makes little sense outside my head but fuck it, that’s where this music belongs.

if i had more time this would’ve been in a post of it’s own. but i don’t. so go to the bandsite. there’s a tonne of albums for free. and for the love of christ buy this.

e.p. hall: mommy crow - more beautifully packaged noise. noise as noun, not genre y’understand. this has proved a rather fitting introduction to morning-time following last nights jack rose fingerpicking slideguitar beer excesses.

remember regina spektor before major label antiseptic turned her into a saccharine produced sugary shadow of her former self? well this is what i’d rather she was doing. chucking out occasionally noisy rattling folk murmurings. all things bookish, creepy, and thinky. quoth the raven. in other words (and there are a lot of those) there’s something of the heart and brain and guts about this. something stripped and bloody and bare-boned about the whole affair. but one rich in emotion and language and imagery.

most of the time it’s just lady singing with guitar (a voice that reminds me of a less naif-ish joanna newsom (and i dig joanna newsom)) and then it branches out into xiu xiu style electronickery or cello drone or birdsong or burbling noise or avant percussion, as on churchyard. hell, the emperor’s note even chugs into fizzing arcade fire moves. it’s a decidedly robust, satisfying listen, and one that despite it’s apparent monochromatic minimalism rewards repeated listening.

anyway this is out on the twenty fourth november followed by a euro tour with drekka (whose bluesanct recently put out a fabulous screenprinted boduf songs vinyl). go get. go see.