Cale Parks reviewed
Cale Parks
Illuminated Manuscript
(Polyvinyl)
Aloha drummer Cale Parks recorded this debut in bed and hotel rooms across the country.
Originally released in Japan at the beginning of the summer, Illuminated Manuscript arrives Stateside with a handful of new tracks and a tweaked sequencing. Opposed to the airy, post-Death Cab of Aloha, Parks fills this mostly instrumental, post rock canvas with xylophone, bongos, and enough synth/harpsichord/organ effects to keep you spinning in your chair for hours. When the soundscape starts growing static he injects a sense of playfulness (check the nod to “Bizarre Love Triangle” on “Fearsome Opponent”) or induces the clouds to precipitate a little rain (“Moccasin Bend”). It isn’t quite the most obvious direction from indie rock preciousness, but considering Parks has worked with Joan Of Arc, Love Of Everything, CEX, Pit Er Pat, and Chin Up Chin Up, maybe it is.
— Kevin Keegan
Click here to download “Wet Paint.”
