SKITTISH ARM - AN ABSENCE OF COLOR
self released 2015, edition of 30
SKITTISH ARM - DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN FRONT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE
self released 2015, edition of 9
SKITTISH ARM - I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO TO RIGHT MYSELF AGAIN
self released 2015, edition of 30
three new tapes from highly regarded ambient drone tape loop phenom SKITTISH ARM
AN ABSENCE OF COLOR is a brief collection of six dark ambient vignettes, modern classical via warbly worn out tape loops, more piano driven that previous works, with more intricate and spontaneous fluttering motifs, meanwhile the omnipresent synth tones are less prominent and less haunting albeit still utilized to great effect particularly on the last two tracks as things spiral out into ever more surreal territory
DIFFERENT PEOPLE IN FRONT OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE is another six piece collection that returns to his alluring synth noir sound, less claustrophobic with a full half hour to breathe and blossom, with the latter half like fragmented variations on an ever darkening theme, culminating with an intensely gripping finale "if i wanted life i'd be living" filled to the brim with profound desolation and fatalistic despair
I DON'T KNOW WHAT I SHOULD DO TO RIGHT MYSELF AGAIN is a longform work that fuses his BASINSKI esque tape loop style with a more meticulous modern classical approach a la ENO's DISCREET MUSIC into two fifteen minute side long suites, an incredible display of tape loop composition that kinda makes me think "REINTEGRATION LOOPS" - the mood is an unexpected shift toward life affirming, uplifting even, at least comparatively speaking, like a silver lining contrasting against his rather gloomy back catalog, side two's aptly titled "cautious optimism despite heartache" is more overcast, with whispers of gorgeous piano like warm rays of light leaking through darkening skies, ending with a foreboding coda as an ominous synth looms nearer then slowly fades to black - maybe he just can't help himself, or maybe he knew it would make for one hell of an ending - a next level work that reveals another dimension to SKITTISH ARM's talent and vision
