C.Ross/ SKULL CREATOR (NoiseAgonyMayhem/Echodelik/Ramble Records 2022)


 New one from Chad Ross, he of Quest For Fire/ Comet Control/ Deadly Snakes/ Nordic Nomadic plus a lot more outfits thru the years. For full disclosure I have the pleasure to call this man a good friend, our bands having shared stages and floors over the years. We've had many great times together and many more to come. Having said that, I.ve always been a huge fan of his music in whatever form it takes, his unique and highly melodic way with the word and riff is instantly unique and recognizable.

This one, recorded and mixed by Josh Wells at the Balloon Factory in Vancouver, deffo leans to a more gentle/ folkier side of things, opiated soundscapes that drift on by with a sigh. Echoes (gettit?!)of post-Syd Floyd, drowsy synth washes lap up against the tunes like waves on the shore, especially on a track like the title cut Skull Creator, my favorite one thus far. 

Chad played most of the instruments on this record, with help from Josh Wells on drums/percussion/keyboards, Aaron Goldstein on pedal steel and Isiah Mitchell of Earthless/ Black Crowes on tasty guitar flourishes. On Golden Pond, another favorite, has a weightless feel of an old daydream come home to roost, stretching out, relaxed, Galaxie 500 driving down a dusty road in Neil's old jalopy, stopping once in a while to roll a number and check out the rapidly declining sun in the sky.

Much to recommend on this one. If you need a breather, a respite from things, get inside of this one and go away for a bit. The artwork by Olde Nightrifter and layout /design of Roan Bateman complement the whole thing perfectly, kudos. 

A treasure front to back, for sure.


https://noiseagonymayhem.bandcamp.com/album/c-ross-skull-creator


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