Radian + Howe Gelb - Radian Verses Howe Gelb [Radian Releases 001 Promo]

Set for release on November 25th as the first album to be put on the circuit via the new imprint Radian Releases is "Radian Verses Howe Gelb", a collaboration of the more Improv- / PostRock-oriented Austrian band outfit Radian that's defo not afraid of electronic textures and atmospheres with Alt.Country-legend and -vocalist Howe Gelb who states "This is a Radian album. I'm only living in it.". And although this fusion of influences is not the most obvious ever it seems like they're  complementing each other well in a way that might evoke memories of some early Morr Music or Digital Kranky-releases, the rare but legendary split 7" of 40 Sekunden Ohne Gewicht and Zwei Tage Sauerstoff released on Guido Möbius' Emphase Records back in 2001 or possibly Einstürzende Neubauten's "Silence Is Sexy" album although we see at least a few heavy, electric guitar riffs trying to break their way through distorted Cut-Up Campfire Country in noisy experimentalisms like the well tongue-in-cheek off-kilter orgy named "From Birth To Mortician".  But there's also enough space for more tender tones (...and crying babies) presented in the relatively short Piano PostRock cut named "...And Back" whilst a certain rebel romanticism and melancholia is to be found in the lyrics of the slowly starting "The Constant Pitch And Sway" that later gives way to more excessive, drum-ridden moments before fading out into endless echoes and eerie atmospheric drones. With "Return To Picacho Peak" the musical attitudes of the collaborating parties are perfectly falling into place, creating a sweet ride into darkest campfire melancholia whilst the disquieting, threatening beats and feedback drones of "Pitch And Sway Again" provide a more anxious, Tarantino'esque-feel in contrast to the songs soft spoken vocals before a cover of the alltime classic waves listeners goodbye in a mostly acoustic not less dramatic way, making "Radian Verses Howe Gelb" a sweet companion for long autumn nights in front of an open fire.