California electronic mixmaster Daedelus calms down considerably for
this collaboration with better half Laura Darlington. The duo aims for
the sublime at the risk of evaporating completely. Darlington’s singing
verges on flatness but lands in gentle Brazilian stoner territory when
backed by bassoon, flute and multi-tracking. Freak show potential is
high, and achieves critical mass on “Colour,” where the lovely couple
takes turns spelling out that word in the “you are” of the Canadian
version. “Cat Fancy” samples an elderly cat lover talking about her
Thistle Blossom. A cadged Erik Satie melody graces “Woebegone.” Music
to watch butterflies by.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2009.