Dinowalrus: diverse, delectable, din. Their debut album falls under “all of the above”: a 10-track disc that takes you to another dimension: a soundtrack for intergalactic space travel accompanied by a climactic assortment of resonating audio sensations.
The drum ‘n’ drone trio out of Brooklyn, draws their interesting and unique sound from a palette of rad, cult-like sub-genres including, but not limited to: noise/glam, experimental and drone/electronica. While the trio gravitates around a drone and loud percussion foundation, their album draws its character from their relatively spontaneous musical instincts.
The album begins with an eerie array of peculiar, repetitive, almost cosmic noises along with tambourines and faint vocals that yelp erratically throughout the minute long instrumental track entitled, “East German Western.” The strange nature of this track motivates the listener to wonder where the album is going to take them (and it will probably be further than they had originally anticipated…at least cognitively). The noise/glam aspects of their distorted guitars and crashing percussion add a mellow layer to the hectic electronica that ensues.
The trio uses several “devices” to conjure their otherworldly noise; this category consists of an analogue synth, an optical theremin, and a sampler. The vocals add an irregular accent with their heavily echoed and slightly incomprehensible properties. The album was refreshing and revolutionary, considering its influences were derived from a relatively grey area in music history. % was thoroughly enjoyable, but those most notable were, the ultra groovy “Cage Those Pythons,” “BEAD,” the beautifully melodic “Haze On the Mobius Strip,” and the suddenly thrilling, “Electric Car, Gas Guitar.”
% is out January 16, 2009 on Kanine Records.
