steering clear of the mainstream
since 2001

june 2010

review
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info opinion

Landing

"Fade In/Fade Out" EP

Strange Attractors Audio House

Genres: drone rock, drone-folk, space rock

Strange Attractors
PO Box 13007
Portland, OR
97213-0007

Sep 23 - 29 2002

Landing's last release, Seasons, was treated to both criticism and acclaim, largely because it marked the band's return to incorporating lyrical vocals into their music, something that wasn't present in their ethereal Oceanless album. While some critics disagreed, I found that singing added a whole dimension to the band's music, lending the drones a more folk-y atmosphere.

The Fade In/Fade Out EP, then, marks a mixture of the two styles. While certain songs, like "Against The Rain", do feature some of the band's trademark dreamy vocals, others are purely instrumental. But not only that, Landing also has decided to make an unusual decision for the release - it is entirely improvised. But it sure don't sound like it. In fact, the five songs on this album sound as if they've been rehearsed a million times over; the timing is right, the melodies are right, and most of all, the atmosphere is right.

"Whirlwind" is an infinitely dense drone floating alone between the stars. "Against The Rain" is a propulsion into the rings of Saturn. And "Pulse", the album's long, drawn-out closer, is a dose of powerful, haunting psychedelic ambiance that demonstrates why Landing were given a set at this year's Terrascope festival.

All in all, Fade In/Fade Out marks another successful release from one of the most established psych-drone bands around; with every record, Landing takes another step closer to being a genre definer. I can't imagine how they'll outdo themselves next time.

88%

Matt Shimmer

[Vitals: 37 min 22 sec; 5 tracks; distributed by the label; released 2002]