Mesmerised

Experimental Audio Research's debut, the aptly-titled MESMERISED, consists of four lengthy instrumentals ranging from the seven-minute "Guitar Feedback Manipulation" to the 26-minute "DMT Symphony." The album recalls both '60s minimalists like LaMonte Young and Terry Riley and early '70s progressives like Tangerine Dream and Can. Spectrum's Pete "Sonic Boom" Kember, Kevin Martin from God, Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine, and Eddie Prevost of the groundbreaking '60s sonic collective AMM create lush, evocative soundscapes out of extended organ notes, guitar effects and feedback, tape manipulations, and various completely unidentifiable sounds. Prevost's violin-bowed cymbals create an almost vocal, keening sound that floats throughout the album. MESMERISED is an endlessly fascinating example of '90s minimalism by an exceedingly aptly-named band.