Customer Reviews

Ether Or

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
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No stranger to heavily amplified, guitar-driven psychedelic music, I waited for years to purchase my first release from Subarachnoid Space, primarily because of the band's penchant for recording totally improvised tracks. Even the non-improvisational groups considered to be the flagship bands of this genre (I'm thinking most directly of Bardo Pond) aren't immune to recording well-rehearsed tracks that occasionally veer into self-indulgent - what would an entire CD of unrehearsed, recorded-as-it-unfolded psychedelia sound like?

I'm happy to say that I had that misconception erased after finally grabbing "Ether/Or", about thirteen years after its release. The heavily layered, highly modulated guitar work on each track is richly complemented by the tribalistic percussion and the propulsive basslines . Each cut is organic, richly textured, bears repeated listening, and all meld together in somewhat of a fluid progression. I'm still amazed that all of the tracks were products of improvisation. "Repetitive Smile" is the standout track on the CD, but really, each cut has something unique to recommend it. Fans of Bardo Pond will find an immediate comfort zone with this CD.

Apparently, the Portland space rocker's second CD release. First time I'm hearing this must-have disc. Believe I've seen it before in stores and online - just never had nor borrowed a copy of 'Ether Or' before. Absolutely loving this title, especially the live tracks that pulled in my full attention on the first listen {these cuts are from some of Subarachnoid Space's earliest concerts, 1996-97}. Tunes like "Circular Motion" and "Don't Look In The Mirror" - both recorded in Dallas, TX and the atmospheric "A Collection Of Smoke" from a gig in Phoenix, AZ. Plus, liked the almost krautrock-like "Flicker". Gotta have!