Eluvium
Indecipherable Text
Sensory Projects/Temporary Residence



Eluvium is Portland-based artist Matthew Cooper. 'Indecipherable Text' is a double CD comprising two of Eluvium's previous albums - 2003's 'Lambent Material' and 'Talk Amongst the Trees' from 2004 - to which have been added one and two new tracks respectively.

Cooper works largely with layers of guitar and piano to create moody pieces of what is basically ambient music, with occasional post-rock and classical influences. Almost but not quite mellow, the music doesn't always go where you expect it to, which contributes to the regular undercurrent of menace and unease.

The first CD contains the earlier album 'Lambent Material', which is probably the stronger of the two. Maintaining a reflective, almost isolated atmosphere throughout, the album alternates between the stark, haunting and quite beautiful piano-based The Unfinished and There Wasn't Anything, to the epic Zerthis was a Shivering Human Image a relentless wall of feedback drenched guitar loops which gradually and almost imperceptibly builds in intensity over its fifteen-plus minute length.

'Talk Amongst the Trees' is a lengthier, more clinical and less rhythmic album, which largely does away with the more recognisable instrumentation evident on 'Lambent Material'. It is meditative and atmospheric, with an undercurrent of quiet desperation, highlighted by the jarring Taken and trance-like Show us our Homes.

Of the new songs, Untitled 1 (for Piano) is another sparse contemplative piece which sits comfortably with other tracks on "Lambent Material', but for me Untitled 2 (for Orchestra) is the standout. Utterly intense, it ebbs and flows between quieter passages laced with clarinet and crashing guitar drones.

Touch points include Brian Eno, My Bloody Valentine, early Sigur Ros and Mogwai (particularly the afore-mentioned Zerthis...), but really Eluvium's music is unique and full of it's own character.

To sum up in three words - majestic, atmospheric, emotive. Slip on the headphones, close your eyes and let Eluvium take you on a moving, unsettling but always interesting musical journey.

James McKenzie