Release Date: March 12, 2024
Label: Spotted Peccary
Website
The first
thing that captures one's imagination is the cover art—the globe with a logo
suspended in the air. It immediately gives you an indication of what you may
hear. At least for me, artwork tends to paint a picture of what kind of music
is in store for my body, mind, and spirit to absorb.
If being
aroused in some way does not sound like something you want at the moment, there
is always some other benefit to music that has an atmosphere that creates a
certain mood or feeling (and all music does, of course). I want another state
of consciousness from any ambient chill or new-age recording I am hearing. Most
listeners of this type of music would have that expectation.
"Search"
is a short intro to set the stage for what else is coming.
"Fortunate One" is 7:19 minutes of new-age ambient chill that offers
an anticipatory trajectory, particularly with the percussion. The chanting fits
well with the soundscape created as you listen. It is very complex, with many
divergent elements coming together. Although intricate, it is masterful in
presentation and production. You recognize this from this point and in the
future during your listening.
"Warm
Inlet" has a super cool vibe with an echoing guitar and prominent bass
line weaving through it, all strengthened by the excellent synths and keys. It
has a jazzy feel, especially with the guitar and bass, that quiet storm feel I
love so much in jazz. However, regardless of hearing that, the ambient and
chill carry your consciousness to another level of being. Its innate
eclecticism and the many genres and influences that come together define it. I
would not mind hearing more of this musical improvisation with that underlying
chill atmosphere.
"The
Desert Mind" starts with a synth and birds, making you feel you are in the
middle of a rainforest in some remote land. The echoing and natural sounds
combined with the music strike you in a cerebral way, yet they're emotionally
calming. The connection between the music and your spirit is undeniable; there
is something extraordinary going on with this track. It is like the mind is a
desert waiting to be populated by sounds and music frequencies.
"Latch"
is one of the shorter tracks (3:16). It starts with an ominous wave of synths,
creating a curtain of sound and a feeling of wondering which way it will turn
at any moment. But it doesn't. It maintains that heavy synth sound, reminding
me of some other bands (open to interpretation) I have heard that focus on
primarily instrumental. It was a significant change of pace and mood and very
effective in pulling you in an entirely different direction.
The title
track, "Interdwell," is the second-longest effort at 8:30 minutes. As
it has been from the start of this album, percussion is vital to start pushing
the composition as the other elements are added. Looking at its length, I
was ready for many transitions and was not disappointed. I liked the way
it was built as it went along. There is plenty of excitement and
colorful collaborations of the instrumentation. I heard a good guitar line come
in to add more potency to the mix. It is a very transitory musical experience
and sounds fantastic at a higher volume level; it will fill your room.
"The Far
Cry" begins gently with the synths, and then an acoustic piano arrives.
The percussion is still bold and well-placed. Once again, your mood shifts at a
different pace as the music dictates. The bass sounds like a beating heart as
the layers of keys acknowledge its presence. I found this track cinematic, like
you are watching a movie, and the scene goes through its movements and changes;
the sounds match what you see. We all have been there before, and usually, the
music is in the background, helping the scenes along, but you don't appreciate
it. This makes you realize how this music can be filled with
many colorful emotions. Next time you watch something, you may want to take
note.
"Marotta
Swamp" is Jerry's track, and although you hear him clearly throughout this
album, it gives you pause to sincerely appreciate his artistry and talents and
what he can bring to a soundtrack. Ironically, percussion is not part of the
presentation. The track is more balanced with the synths, bass, and layers that
help it build as you move along.
"Tré
Pur" is relaxing, like melting into a cloud and riding through a clear
blue sky. The keys have a rhythm like a musical clock or a metronome to focus
on your breathing and heartbeat. Quite beautiful.
"The Slow
Train Home" is their most ambitious work, clocking in at 10:30, and it
lives up to its name. I am thinking about time and how it consistently carries
a definitive mood. It starts very purposefully, and then a cello joins in. That
instrument can be melancholy in its effects, but it depends on what other
instruments or effects join as the track moves along. It takes little time to
sound appropriate once the layers of synths are alongside it to enhance the
listening experience. Based on the composition's subtleties and length of time,
it could serve as a meditative tool. Towards the end, you can hear a train
going across the tracks, the perfect way to lead to the conclusion.
"Linear"
starts in a spacey manner, then a whooshing sound arrives, and the percussion
changes the entire direction. The guitar is a nice touch with the echo effect
as it punctuates the track. You can hear exciting sounds; it is entirely
different in style and approach than any other track, so I appreciated it more.
It ended up being one of my favorite tracks, and the guitar lends a more rock
feel, which I loved with all the other instruments.
"Bring Myself To
Say It" is the finale. What would they come up with next after
the previous track? It is a shorter one at 3:50 minutes. It was an excellent
way to close out the recording. The brief, soft, sweet piano and layer of
synths lead you out gently as your feet again touch the ground, and the musical
journey is over.
Interdwell is an excellent recording that is very eclectic and entertaining. The instrumentation, mastering, and engineering are superior. The musicians involved are all veterans, and it shows from track to track. You will love this if you enjoy instrumental ambient chill with a new-age flavor!
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
May 25, 2024
Tracks:
01. Search
02. Fortunate One
03. Warm Inlet
04. The Desert Mind
05. Latch
06. Interdwell
07. The Far Cry
08. Marotta Swamp
09. Tré Pur
10. The Slow Train Home
11. Linear
12. Bring Myself To Say It