Latest broadcast from Rob Fisk’s Common Eider, King Eider sees the group expanded to a four-piece with guest appearances from Liz Harris (Grouper) and Tom Carter (Charalambides) playing austere rural drone that owes as much to Arvo Part as it does to Popol Vuh. Piano, bowed strings and soaring psychedelic guitar combine in dark cinematic madrigals that move in orchestral sweeps to euphoric crescendos before dispersing into clouds of foggy tone. The closing track, featuring both Harris and Carter, revisits the autumnal drone style of Grouper’s Way Their Crept via hazy choral sonics and non-corporeal guitar. An impressive, ambitious set. Comes with a fold-out poster sleeve and a free download. 

“Originally released in 2005 as a limited edition CD-R on Yellow Swans' JYRK label, this three-way collab now gets a proper run on wax. Recorded in Oakland at the Huffin House before the Swans made the retreat back to Portland. Despite the weight of these players when they rock alone, this jam really never gets into full on white out territory. Instead, it's loaded to the brim with wavy neon distortion and soothing low end that occasional drops out into huge washes of emptiness. The opening passage of GMS guitar flecks sympathizing with Karl's string wash is alone worth the price of admission. Red vinyl with lime green splatter.” – RS. Cover art by Liz Harris (Grouper)

Fantastic new double CD from Jandek that sees him revisit the group set-up he had on the equally dazzling Portland Thursday set, with Sterling Smith on guitar and vocals, Sam Coombes on bass, Emil Amos on drums and the twin vocals of Liz Harris aka Grouper and Jessica Dennison. Sterling apparently requested two female vocalists who “look similar” and their voices are also perfectly complimentary. They’re featured on four tracks, “Long Time Coming”, “Across From Me”, “No One Around” and “Like You Love Me”. “Long Time Coming” is especially bruised, a forlorn, passionate embrace of hollowed-out Venusian blues worthy of Suzanne Langille. Elsewhere the rhythm section of Coombes and Amos – admittedly not, on paper, a dreamteam pairing – lock into some of the most dynamic and heavy groove-based rock of Sterling’s back catalogue, driving the pace so hard that at points – on tracks like “Cathy Sue” and the 20 minute “Yes Dear” – they approach the collapsing universe style of prime Kousokuya. Sterling’s guitar playing seems more fleet and effortless for it and his vocals wrap themselves all the way around your head with some profound downerisms. Will be living inside this one for a long time to come, another major highlight of Jandek’s live phase. Highly recommended!