Charalambides Unknown Spin
Kranky Records krank061 November 3 2003
By Russell Garwood
Charalambides are a Texan trio, consisting of Christina Carter, Tom Carter and Heather Leigh Murray. These three play highly stripped-down improvisations, comprising electric guitar usually used as a drone, pedal steel guitar (occasional picking), and vocal tones. These never employ lyrics, but compliment the atmospheric repetition of the guitars. Slow development is central to the style, and tracks up to half an hour in length certainly allow for it, yet the five songs on Unknown Spin tend to be simple in the extreme. Occasional more complex guitar-lines with faster moving melody are a welcome contrast, as all other elements rely on ambient - yet wholly insubstantial - drones. Despite enjoying numerous musicians who achieve a similar sound, I tend to find Unknown Spin slightly monotonous for the most part. Hence, Charalambides music an acquired taste it is very good for background noise, and fans of (extremely) minimalistic ambience should give them a listen. For those new to unrefined, noise/tone based experimentation, however, it is perhaps a release to avoid, as the musical merit of such simplistic composition is debatable.
Kranky Records krank061 November 3 2003
By Russell Garwood
Charalambides are a Texan trio, consisting of Christina Carter, Tom Carter and Heather Leigh Murray. These three play highly stripped-down improvisations, comprising electric guitar usually used as a drone, pedal steel guitar (occasional picking), and vocal tones. These never employ lyrics, but compliment the atmospheric repetition of the guitars. Slow development is central to the style, and tracks up to half an hour in length certainly allow for it, yet the five songs on Unknown Spin tend to be simple in the extreme. Occasional more complex guitar-lines with faster moving melody are a welcome contrast, as all other elements rely on ambient - yet wholly insubstantial - drones. Despite enjoying numerous musicians who achieve a similar sound, I tend to find Unknown Spin slightly monotonous for the most part. Hence, Charalambides music an acquired taste it is very good for background noise, and fans of (extremely) minimalistic ambience should give them a listen. For those new to unrefined, noise/tone based experimentation, however, it is perhaps a release to avoid, as the musical merit of such simplistic composition is debatable.
