Label: Penultimate Press – PP65
Format: Vinyl, LP
Country: Germany
Released: 6 Dec 2024
Genre: Electronic, Folk, World, & Country
Style: Experimental
Neatly executed domesticated piano recordings from DIY veteran, Siltbreeze alumni and The Lloyd Pack member Dan Melchior.
Arriving sometime in the midst of end of year hysteria, this solo outing from the British-born now US-based artist fell victim to landing at the wrong time. Now with all that in the rearview mirror and the seemingly endless, desolate expanse of January ahead these four tracks appear to make more sense. Sidestepping his grunge / garage rock credentials, Melchior crafts four distinct pieces around his (borrowed) girlfriend’s piano and an unassuming repertoire of cheap, simple instruments. Eschewing any notion of virtuosity, Melchior relies on simplistic, repetitive, ear-wormy piano motives, bolstered by subtle interference, inflections and the immediate environment. It’s a record that gives hope to all non-musicians, emphasising atmosphere over technique. But there’s something charming about it all, the miniature toy-instruments and penny whistle of ‘Sparrow Song’ recalling Klimperei or Pascal Comelade’s world-in-the-palm-of-your-hand composition or contemplative late-night haze of ‘Night Sounds’ hanging perfectly in the frosty winter air. Not to be missed. (Mint / New)
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Dan Melchior is from London, England. He has lived in various cities in the USA for the last 24 years. Melchior’s resume is as unique as it is exciting and diverse. Having cut his teeth in the land of garage rock as a collaborator with Billy Childish and Holly Golightly his vision takes sharp twists landing on Graham Lambkin’s strange and beautiful experimental label Kye with two records which broke not only the mould of himself but that of the song itself. Melchoir is a musician with a voluminous discography which embraces many different forms of expression, from song based rock to pure textural explorations. His music has evolved significantly, to become a distant entity from some of his earlier blues-based work, showing a definite influence of more experimental bands such as The Homosexuals and The Fall, and some absurdist elements which have led to comparisons to compatriot exponents of that genre, Vivian Stanshall and Syd Barrett. Always experimenting with form in an original manner avoiding any inherent genre anchor. Blues is referenced and extended, musique concrete is found embedded in the song. Melchior has collaborated with artists as diverse as Billy Childish, Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson, Letha Rodman Melchior and the LAFMS outfit Dinosaurs With Horns. Just as diverse are the record labels he has been associated with, including Sympathy for the record industry, Siltbreeze, Kye, Ultra Eczema, Chocolate Monk, Ever/Never, Feeding Tube and Penultimate Press.
Tracklist
A1 Sparrow Song 8:59
A2 The Body 9:49
B1 Night Sounds 7:22
B2 Hill Country Piano 10:41
