Positive Shadow - Fiume - Self-released
I won't lie, it can be a mind-numbing ordeal to try to sort through the massive output of synth music being released on tape right now, listening to Soundcloud fragments and mp3s to try to separate the substantive from the superficial. Sometimes you get to wondering if ANY of it is any good or if it's just going to be lowest-common-denominator, consonant-drone-with-obvious-melody, perfunctorily programmed, vaguely 70s sounding New Age BS from here on out. But, of course, it's nonsense to think that. They are still out there -- the ones pursuing a vision or pushing the envelope -- regardless of trends or fads. Which is all a big lead up to say, This Positive Shadow tape is great. On one hand, this is obviously synth music, on the other, the sounds are completely beguiling. Where does that incredible shimmer on the tones come from? Those roiling, electronic surfaces? These tracks have that great power to really exist as a physical presence in the room, which is the thing you really hope for from this kind of experimental music. OK, totally recommended but here's the pisser -- I only have one copy. I tried to order a handful but I'm pretty sure Keith Whitman over at Mimaroglu Music Sales snapped up a lot of the copies and I only could get two. And I'm keeping one. So after this one copy is gone, you can follow the MMS link and grab one from there. $7, email eggyrecords@gmail.com to order it.