GASTR DEL SOL

GASTR DEL SOL
CAMOUFLEUR (1998)
320 KBPS

Along with fellow Chicagoans Tortoise, Gastr Del Sol has managed to create an indie-rock audience for progressive music. On this release, the last with multi-instrumentalist and producer Jim O`Rourke, the group`s music is more melodic and concise than in the past. But at the same time, the group retains its dedication to experimenting with song forms and production techniques. Augmented by friends and hired hands who play a variety of instruments, Gastr aims for the grand pop of Van Dyke Parks on tracks like "The Seasons Reverse" and "Each Dream Is an Example," which feature horns, violin, accordion, piano, and even steel drums. At the same time, Markus Popp of Germany`s digital music renegades Oval contributes heavily to some tracks, giving a seething electronic undertow to the songs. The spirited acoustic guitar duets that highlighted previous releases are here as well, particularly on the Vietnamese folk song "Black Horse" and the final track, "Bauchredner." David Grubbs sings his literate musings more effectively than ever before, and O`Rourke even handles the vocals on one song. The wide-ranging but always sharply focused CAMOUFLEUR combines all these disparate elements in a satisfying and organic way.

1. The Seasons Reverse 5:51
2. Blues Subtitled No Sense Of Wonder 6:31
3. Black Horse 5:24
4. Each Dream Is An Example 5:41
5. Mouth Canyon 3:48
6. A Puff Of Dew 6:20
7. Bauchredner 7:09

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