Time Machine
Self-Released, 2019
8/10
SIRR is spearheaded by Canada’s Mark O’Connor, who takes a very unusual approach to his art by using musicians from around the globe via Wikiloops. While O’Connor handles all vocals and plenty of other sounds on the 16 tracks here, the 20 or so contributors help make for an extremely varied and interesting effort.
“Fire In The Sky” leads the album with spacey sounds amid dense percussion in a sci-fi rocker with melodic singing, and this creativeness continues to the saxophone friendly and hip-hop influenced “Ghost Town”, as well as the retro sounds of the howling “Sasquatch”.
The unpredictability continues to the synth stabs of the ‘80s influenced “Rise Up”, while “Zombie War” finds a stylish place to reside that’s even danceable with its fuzzy, droning atmosphere. ‘The Stranger”, one of the most interesting tracks, then dips into darker territory with minimal instrumentation where backing female vocals help illuminate the ominous display.
Late album highlights include the fuller, louder alt-rock of “Sweet Fame”, and the spirited guitar work of “My Dog Surfs”. “Sugarland” ends the listen with rhythm and grooves alongside the quirky playfulness that’s as inventive as it is inimitable.
SIRR has no interest in doing anything mundane, as Time Machine unfolds like an ideal companion to his atypical 2020 effort Space. However, regardless of where you start in the SIRR catalog, expect the unconventional and expect to find intrigue in spades.
Travels well with: Heron- Sun Release; Bonsai Universe- Too Many Ghosts