Nautical Almanac

Rooting for the Microbes (Load)

A A A Comments Thursday, Aug 19 2004

Baltimore-based Nautical Almanac builds its own instruments -- instruments that, if the liner notes to Rooting for the Microbes are to be believed, do not require the use of electricity. Dubious, indeed. Closer listening to this record suggests that NA principals Twig Harper, Carly Ptak, and assorted guests reside in a mental institution, have discovered how to tear and puree the very fabric of reality, and, if the final few moments are any indication, really, really dig Shallow Hal.

More About

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Their brand of noise comes in little spurts or messy, splattering gushes; ear-piercing screeches; slobbering, distorted babble; the random plucking of what sounds like tuneless guitar strings; curious creaks and rubbery squeaks; what could be someone straining to blow up a balloon; Autechre-like snatches of glitchy audio grit; and Ptak nervously repeating the phrase "And now it is calm" so many times that she seems anything but. By the ninth track -- "1 Million Synapses Frying" -- this unfathomably unorthodox work has become so comfortable that the decision to throw in some harmonica seems, well, sort of freakish. -- Ray Cummings

Check out this week's featured ad for Music

Athena by the Sea

View Ad View Website

More Ads >>

Get the Music Newsletter

Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.