wio - Brilliant Brummagems - Unread #244

Another homegrown mystery surfacing through the cassette ionosphere ... some musicians set themselves a song per day challenge but here we have a song per 15 minute work ethic. Brilliant Brummagems is like a collage of your favorite sounds compressed into the time/space continuum. Each piece makes delirious sense & creativity abounds in every drone & note. Brilliant Brummages is meant to be experienced as a whole: listen through then flip the tape over and hit play again. A Shut Mouth Catches No Flies is a perfect closer: an Einstein-inspired folk dirge for the scientific (anti)social media generation where narcissism is louder than bombs.

https://unreadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/unread-244

Mud Pie Sun: New Swing Mood Things / Two At Noon

Where to begin a review with a release that is this monumental? First released in May 1992, this cassette reflects both those times, the times before, and the times now. Contemplative yet astute lyrics, hazy folk shambles, one can almost visualize the psychedelic haze hovering over the recordings proceedings. The cumulative effect of these original songs is nothing less than stunning - every song lives within its own impeccable universe. Two cover songs are included as well (one by the Silly Pillows and one by the Jacobites). Musically I would rate Mud Pie Sun right up there with my favorite bands that recorded for Independent Project Records back in that era - just more acoustic / jangle oriented. If the DIY / indie ethic brings you joy, don't miss this.

Andy Rench - As Long As It's Today

Finally a new cassette review!

We here at Why The Tapes Play love real music created for and by real people. What attracted me initially about Andy Rench's self released debut is the cover aesthetics - what appears to be a photograph of a suburban home circa mid 20th century washed in cranberry tones.  I thought: the music contained herein must be something special. And I was right. 

As Long As It's Today is musically adventurous, steeped in folk and DIY traditions, yet transcendent. The songs seem to be about time and distance and freedom; they feel tethered to the scorched desert earth from some dreamlike timespace. This is truly lo-fi nocturnal music in the best sense: hazy, moonlit, wistful and hopeful. Inventive guitar licks & not too much technical trickery. Certainly my favorite cassette release of 2019 thusfar. 

https://andyrench.bandcamp.com/album/as-long-as-its-today