Music Reviews

“baby_ray”

Baby Ray

Do I Love America

Thirsty Ear

Neat new effort from this professional linguist-fronted pop-Americana band. The first track, “Gossamer Riddle,” sounds like someone spent a lot of time absorbing a lot of Peter Murphy’s or other pop-goth-weird music, mixed in their own twangy guitar twist and viola! an addictive little puzzling ditty. “Olive Novel Love” is even crazier. It starts out pretty normal, with a guitar sound and vocal that says “midwest” for some reason to me. Then it’s into this bizarre fuzzy, psychedelic guitar dervish that blew me away. “Sheep Are My Keeper” is a melodic pop song sung through a funnel. “Wisdom of the Boondocks” is a sick tune that’s, well, in need of serious therapy. It’s all confused fuzz and more funnel-ized vocals. Woosh! There’s seven songs altogether on this mysterious release the last one, “Playful Robert,” being particularly disturbing, like it’s played on an old autoharp and washboard.

Thirsty Ear Recordings, 274 Madison Ave., Suite 804, New York, NY 10016; http://www.thirstyear.com


Recently on Ink 19...

Swans

Swans

Event Reviews

40 years on, Michael Gira and Swans continue to bring a ritualistic experience that needs to be heard in order to be believed. Featured photo by Reese Cann.

Eclipse 2024

Eclipse 2024

Features

The biggest astronomical event of the decade coincides with a long overdue trip to Austin, Texas.

Sun Ra

Sun Ra

Music Reviews

At the Showcase: Live in Chicago 1976/1977 (Jazz Detective). Review by Bob Pomeroy.