erasing clouds
 

Yellow Swans, Drift and Descension

reviewed by dave heaton

Prolific Portland-based experimentalists Yellow Swans have released two CD EPs for the Spanish label Acuarela, one last year and one this year. Last year’s was titled Drift -- musically it might resemble a drift, but an angry one. It’s steely and tense but also has moments of peace, especially near the end when it does come to resemble what your imagination might think of from the word “drift.” It’ll fade slowly away, but still continue on, retaining a sense of fight. Overall it’s music both challenging and meditative, unmistakable in mood. And while the instruments listed on the cover may look like the inventory of an ‘80s new-wave band – guitar, electronics, vocals, drum machine – it’s what they do with those instruments that counts. The instruments mumble and roar, soar and seer. And ultimately leave us with one last moment of terror.

The 2007 disc is a live improvisation titled Descension -- like ascension, but downwards into the darkness. Split into two pieces, it starts with warring clouds of static, fighting for control of the universe. The second half is less fiery, more like a restrained beast than an unleashed one, or as if a beast has just left but its presence is nearby enough to keep you scared stiff. Like when a rock band leaves a loop of feedback going as it leaves the stage, except instead of a rock band it’s a demon. And, of course, it does return.

Metaphors aside, the duo Yellow Swans (GMS and Pete Swanson) is doing fascinating things with sound, with noise both ear-piercing and, often, not. They’re building universes out of electricity, universes that will exist differently for each listener. There’s no doubt people who will hear this and run away, but to others it sounds like radio-friendly pop music. I’m somewhere in between: too entranced to run away, but still a little scared…and, after awhile, surprisingly soothed.

{www.acuareladiscos.com}


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