Albumen
Lake Desolation
( Treble Hook Sounds ) 2006

" I just want to fly with my buddies and black out the sky / don't want to hurt anyone, but I'm hungry"

Yeah - I could put Albumen's cd in the deck and head to work, slowly creating the words I want to use in getting the weak opinion of one human (here I am) in line to sell you on it. I could also try and drop the names of similar sounding artists (some of which Albumen may have never heard / heard of) all while trying to convey to you - the reader - a description in sound via black text. Yes, indeed - that is exactly what I'm gonna do here.. . the lone transcription of unique audio out of love for that which travels through my speakers.

Now Albumen reside around the woods of New York (is there such a thing? oh - upstate), somewhere near the Great Sacandaga Lake - which is how we arrive at Lake Desolation. Is it diversity you were searching for today? For it is diversity I have here on Lake Desolation. First spin on this keeper is "Circle Down", a tale of the corporate world set metaphorically (possibly) to the lives of flesh-eating vultures. I'd lay down the term folk upon this initial offering, somewhere alongside that which early Jason Morphew albums had to offer. I would say that, says me, if it were not for all that follows. Joined here on record by one Andrew Churchman, of Pants Yell!, offering his expertise on drums - Albumen natives Andrew Ashton and Paul Coleman lead the listener on a pleasant journey spanning many genres. I'd almost swear Neil Young has snuck in the studio (dubbed the Peach Pit!) on "Mouthful of Pennies", a rocker that does all it can (and succeeding) to grasp the intensity of 1978's Crazy Horse explosion. Further examination of vocals on the previous 2 songs reveals a smidgen of similarity voice-wise, but this track is spot on. That which continues finds the band hinting at electronics & programming with "17,000 x 0" - where we find the group letting their Mac do some talking against a backdrop of bass & sonic whispers. The traces of acoustic / folk underbase are apparent through much of the album, and the band takes many opportunities to layer more driving instrumentation (See: Eyes*Like*Stars, somewhat reminiscent of Sparklehorse's "Pig") over these fertile grounds.

There's plenty to keep your interest perked on Lake Desolation - just don't get to comfortable in one specific sound, for these boys are out to patchwork the land in ideas appealing to many.

The album comes packaged in a natural Arigato Pak! with an elder bare Oak and hand stamped track titles. The core disc depicts the scene from opening track "Circle Down" - one vulture perched on a limb as the hungry swarms above. The incredible, enjoyable Albumen!

cracker named k :: (01.07.06)