Shoegazing as a primary influence is having a late blooming revival of late- witness Chemical Brothers and their comeback single with Halo Maude, ‘Live Again’, which feels woozy and spiky. So it makes sense that this gorgeous, elusive record is being reissued again as it turns a decade old.
The Colorado trio Candy Claws – Ryan Hover, Karen Hover and Hank Bertholf – took dream pop, psychedelia and the aforementioned shoegazing as core influences and expanded the sonic palette. This, their third album from 2013, was also inspired by the trailblazing marine biologist Rachel Carson and her wide-ranging book ‘The Sea Around Us’ which took themes such as pesticides in the ocean, and the impact of consumer greed on the planet, out into the wider community, decades before the official climate change definition.
iPhoto by Eric Edwards
It’s an ambitious, shapeshifting project, as befits such hefty concepts. Tracks like ‘Into The Deep Time’, ‘Birth Of The Flower’ and ‘Where I Found You (One Star)’ all benefit greatly from Bryan Santi’s rich orchestration, taken from Philip Glass’ sample library. Female and male vocals blur to dizzying effect and add to the otherworldly aesthetic.
It’s not music that easily fades into the background. Despite gauzy melodies and a dreamy undercurrent,the densely layered opacity of sound envelops the listener.
Lush and cinematic, there’s also an interesting paradox of sweetness and savagery, like My Bloody Valentine and Broadcast in a field trip looking for shrooms. A welcome, unique album that sounds timeless.
Out on Aug 11th via Twosyllable
Hit The North 