Description:
Looks at the Bird is the work of Douglas McCombs--the purveyor of those sonorous six-string basslines in Tortoise--in collaboration with double-bassist Noel Kupersmith. It takes a peculiarly dedicated--and, let's face it, rich--record-buyer to keep up with the multifarious spin-offs and projects affiliated to Chicago's Tortoise collective. Brokeback, though, is one especially worthy of attention. Following two albums of dusty, fitfully compelling sub-ambience, Looks at the Birdis much more formed and accessible. Inevitably, thanks to McComb's plangent, instantly recognisable twang, thoughts of Tortoise are always close: there's
Looks at the Bird is the work of Douglas McCombs--the purveyor of those sonorous six-string basslines in Tortoise--in collaboration with double-bassist Noel Kupersmith. It takes a peculiarly dedicated--and, let's face it, rich--record-buyer to keep up with the multifarious spin-offs and projects affiliated to Chicago's Tortoise collective. Brokeback, though, is one especially worthy of attention. Following two albums of dusty, fitfully compelling sub-ambience, Looks at the Birdis much more formed and accessible. Inevitably, thanks to McComb's plangent, instantly recognisable twang, thoughts of Tortoise are always close: there's even a version of "The Suspension Bridge at Iguazu Falls" from 1998's TNT. But while jazz flourishes and electronic trim are discreetly applied as usual, the fundament of Brokeback's sound is now a kind of amiable desert rock: "Everywhere Down Here" even recalls Calexico at their most meditative. What's more, the lulling vocal presence of Laetitia Sadier and the late Mary Hansen from Stereolab gives this beguiling little album even more international post-rock cachet than ever. --John Mulvey
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Manufacturer: Thrill Jockey
Release date: 24 February 2003
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0790377012026 UPC: 790377012026
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