crackedmachine

Lanterna – Highways (2004)
Blastula - Blastula EP (1996)

Atmospheric, guitar-centered instrumental music is a weakness of mine.
As with my other posts, these albums are not so new. I first heard
Lanterna on a double 7" split with Scenic. I wasn't really struck,
though, until I heard Highways, which has become one of those albums
that is right for every mood. Clear Blue starts off almost silently,
a shimmering wash of sound quickly turns to echoing guitar. Canyons
adds a strummed acoustic rhythm to the clean, delayed electric, and
the guitars never stray from their gorgeously clear tone.
Highways is available from Badman Recording Co. It is well
worth your time.
Clear Blue, Canyons


Blastula is another classic of layered guitars. Whereas Lanterna
seems to fit many a mood and situation, Blastula is a darker, more
menacing matter. It is, for me at least, also a more engaging listen.
Here, the interplay of multiple guitars creates dissonant atmospheres
that are beautiful and unsettling…Testament to the fucking potential
of placing one guitar on top of another and then another. Hypnotic,
but could never be confused with New Age. This one is available on
Atavistic.
Flifire,
Rapture