Everything Is Chemical have been releasing some interesting free music via BandCamp. Usually these take the
form of a free "single", although occasionally they have stretched the format a little into a free EP or
something.
Múshhh make a complete mockery of the concept of a "digital single" with their release, the 100th
in the series. There are 18 tracks on this "digital single" and the whole release clocks in at over an hour
long.
Digging around i see that Múshhh (which is apparently pronounced "moosh") combined two
previous releases and then threw in some "bonus tracks" to bring this release up to 18 tracks. The two
releases combined here are Pack Your Suitcase, Or Settle Back Into Your
Armchair and I'll Fly Through The Candle's Mouth Like A
Singeless Moth, which is a pretty great title to be honest. Both of these releases were put
out on BandCamp around the time this EiC release come out. I suppose that Múshhh are a little prolific...
Múshhh is the project of Garett Pierre, who apparently started Múshhh in Chicago but decided that
he liked sweating a whole lot, so he relocated to Phoenix, AZ. There are some other names listed on the
BandCamp page, but i am uncertain if anyone else is currently associated with the act. No matter...
Múshhh call themselves a "freak folk" band, which is a term that i associate with the sheer
annoyance that was Devandra Banhart. However, Múshhh don't sound like that. This is simple electronic
music with a few other elements thrown in, most notably melodica. Or, rather, the drone of melodica
overpowers the samples and loops when it is preset, so i notice it.
Overall i think this is pretty cool stuff. Múshhh are like a mellower Her Space Holiday. That is, this
music is made from percussion loops and keyboards, and it moves at a slow, almost ambient pace. This
is peaceful, calm music and makes for great background listening. I like what Pierce is doing.
At 18 tracks this "digital single" is a bit much to go through track by track. In fact, you might find that
the release is a little long. If you are not really into this kind of stuff, it might get a little tedious
somewhere in the hour plus of listening.
But there are some really beautiful moments.
Loom In the Leaf Filtered Gloom is a really pretty tune with a hint of melancholy to it. The
song starts with a kicking drum loop, then sparkling underwatery keys come in. The melodica wails in an
almost tragic way overtop, and then towards the end the drum machine goes all spastic.
But Even In Her Laughter There Was Something Missing is a rare Múshhh song to include
vocals, here from Amy Larisa Roberts, who may or may not still be involved with the project. She sings
lightly, in layers over keyboards, but her voice is an interlude, as she fades out to be replaced by the
melodica which is the main instrument on this entire release. The beats here are great, the drums just
tapping away happily.
I also really like the final track, The Lamp Lit Row Of Houses. This is a lovely little tune with
lots of echo on the piano some horns. A really pretty way to end the record. Go out strong.
I am impressed with Múshhh. Lots of interesting stuff here. Lots, and it’s free, so give it a
chance. |
