from Grimsby to Milan
Farpoint, 2025
9/10
Listen to from Grimsby to Milan
The American synthesist Robert Wheeler is joined by Gayle Young for 6 experimental and artistic tracks that defy classification.
“Seaweed Slowly Shifting” starts with Young playing her Amaranth, an instrument she invented that consists of a wooden box built with 21 steel strings and three double bass strings, in the cinematic and unpredictable 11 minutes.
“What’s Up, Puss E Cat” follows and enlists Wheeler on EML ElectroComp 101 that helps emit waves of adventurousness, while “Rabbits & Riliriks” radiates a sci-fi feel that buzzes with iconoclastic ambience.
In the middle, “Mariana Trench” is percussively strong and tinkers with playful gestures, and “Iceberg Star Chart” is indeed chilling via the ominous electronic stabs and strategic strings. “Consonant Harmony” exits, and it’s got an appeal that sometimes seems like found objects, possesses glitchy bouts and harbors an atypical rhythm.
Also included on the record is the Columbine, an original microtonal percussion instrument invented Gayle, and Wheeler’s use of a Moog Theremin. You could draw similarities to Pere Ubu, Harry Partch or Hwang Byungki here, but there is truly nothing else quite like this experience, where the duo’s combined talent is highly eccentric.
Travels well with: Sean Clarke- A Flower For My Daughter; Stef.in- Icterus II