The second album from the Australian duo Oren Ambarchi and Chris Townend is a slight album of light and gentle pop. Ambarchi is better know for his experimental guitar work, his solo albums for Touch, his improvised noise with Ambarchi/Fusinato/Walls, his doom riffing touring with Sunn 0))), whilst Townend went from Kiss My Poodle’s Donkey to more engineering and production work. I’ll be the same is so slight it feels like the wind could come at any time and just blow it apart. Predominantly acoustic guitar based, many of the tunes feature Ambarchi’s experimental electric guitar soundscapes, yet it’s sparse and endearing, complementing the acoustic riffing. The vocals are lethargic, almost asleep, weakened by the afternoon sun, often heavily reverbed, often just a moan. There’s a certain freewheeling feel to these pieces, the arrangements feel opportunistic, like that’s the way everything just fell together, yet it’s only after repeated listens that the tunes begin to consolidate and you realise how deceptive their compositions are. It sounds like two friends bonding together over their love of music. The music meanders slowly forward, unhurried, traveling at its own speed, seeming more immediate, spur of the moment, less considered. Yet this is part of its charm and though it’s unlikely to be a true reflection of their process, it’s a nice feeling to hold on to. The last piece, the seven and a half minute smile brings to mind an acoustic version of a Crazy Horse jam, simple, long and hypnotic, and is a standout on a gorgeous album that seems to be paying heed to traditions but is way out on its own gentle freeform trip.
Bob Baker Fish
