Unicorn is W.T. Nelson of Bastard Noise and this is his first full-length solo release after a couple of splits and compilation appearances. Three of the tracks on here are for films by Stephanie Miller. These films are included on the CD as Quicktime video files. The inclusion of the films is a great touch, as the music works well with the grainy and mysterious slow-moving images. The audio tracks on the CD are far more musical than the Bastard Noise stylings I was expecting. Something about the starkness of the music (and perhaps small touches like the use of spoken words and the long track titles) make me want to compare this to Godspeed You! Black Emperor much more than Bastard Noise. The pieces make use of some simple, tinkly melodies that sound like they are being played on a music box- this is how the first track opens, before some thick and earthy hums are introduced. The thick hums are the best part of the Unicorn sound- a very rich electric sound that is very deep and organic. I'm not as enthralled by the music-box elements. The release overall feels very slight- I had a hard time grasping the whole thing as a coherent "album"- it seemed like it was over right as I was starting to immerse myself in the sounds. The CD is not particularly short (37 minutes) but feels much shorter- perhaps because the compositions follow a very simple pattern that doesn't vary too much- the music-box tinkles and echoed hums recur in every piece. A bit of screechy feedback, some rain sounds and narration spice up the odd track here and there. Still, the sounds and the recording have a very attractive warmth and there is plenty here to make me want to follow what Unicorn might do next.
Released by Housepig Records
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