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Surface Tension EP SOTF 022 December 20, 2011 |
Digital $4.00 |
Stream
Track List
1. Tiny Horses2. Silver Linings
3. Surface Tension
4. Faithless
Album Description
Coming soon.
Notes
All songs performed by Bryon Dudley with help from Lee Chapman (voice), Jordan Mull (bass, accordion, vocals), Rachel Dudley (drums, accordion, vocals), Kate Kennedy (vocals, saxophone), Kai Tanaka (guitar), Al Clarke (guitar) and Matt Dake (drums, percussion). "Tiny Horses," Silver Linings" and "Surface Tension" were recorded at The Spacement in Ames, Iowa. "Faithless" was recorded at Thou Art Stronghold in Ames, Iowa, and produced by Matt Dake. Artwork, design and photos by Jane Dupuis (booklet photos), Katherine Zeph (booklet design) and Allison Nelson (CD design).
Press
Bryon Dudley is a local musician, recording engineer and music fan who has played in many Ames rock and pop bands over the years, including Strong Like Bear, Otter, Sinema and a brand new shoegaze project Liana. He also has consistently recorded solo projects over the years, allowing himself to veer off the rock path and explore more experimental sounds and ideas.
His new EP “Surface Tension” is a wonderful and enveloping mixture of Dudley’s rock and experimental tendencies. The awesomely off-kilter opening track throws you for a bit of a loop as a robotically dispassionate female voice recites a prose poem over a mellow groove.
By the second and third tracks, though, we are firmly back in rock territory: sweet guitar licks, vocal harmonies, classic pop songs structures. The song “Surface Tension” transitions from a catchy set of verses into a heady breakdown in the middle, featuring an atmospheric saxophone solo, then expertly builds the tempo back up to the pace of those original catchy verses.
The EP ends on an experimental note with a bass-driven track that opens with a solid groove that never wavers. Multiple beats, including a surprisingly versatile percussive scratching sound reminiscent of live turntabalism, play against the bass and lead to a wave of noisy guitar tones that wash over the beats without overpowering the groove.
Dudley lined up a bunch of great music friends to play on the album, such as Rachel Dudley, Jordan Mull, Kate Kennedy, Al Clarke, Matt Dake and Kai Tanaka. The result is a local music gem with an unusual and very satisfying form: two killer rock tracks bookended by tasteful experiments from the edges of pop music.
“Surface Tension is available through iTunes or Des Moines label Sleep on the Floor.
-Nate Logsdon