Scott Solter--Canonic EP

Technically its Scott Solter, but the music is Pattern Is Movement’s. I suppose two introductions are in order. Pattern is Movement is a Philadelphia group that plays in the style of Death Cab for Cutie that released an album titled Stowaway in 2005. This particular album was recorded by a Mr. Scott Solter, who literally took the razor (he used nothing but analog equipment) to Pattern is Movement’s work to create a monster of his own. Canonic includes both a preview from Solter’s upcoming full-length of Pattern is Movement’s work redone, and a replay of three original tracks from Stowaway for comparison. Follow? Good. Pattern is Movement are confounding. Off-kilter, PIM artificially smashes vocals around an instrumental track in "Two Voices for Two Sections," and "Talk Back To Me" is half an acoustic pop piece and half…a jittery interpretation of a hyperactive kid on Pixie sticks. But who cares about PIM? This is Solter’s recording…sort of. "Witkin Dub" is a monstrous piece of feedback and rhythm, fading into a sweet flowery melody surrounded by walls of bass aggression. It may not sound like PIM, but Solter captures their nonsensical and quick-changing moods and beats very well. "You! Glasstone" is creepy. PIM vocalist is stretched, contorted, pulled apart, and run through the wringer as it floats through the jumpy fields of PIM’s sound. "Blanched and Threshed Beats" is a horrifyingly delightful mix of an indie piano and looming hip-hop beats. The delicate sounds of the piano and vocals nimbly runs its way around the massive looming sonic footprint of the crashing bass beats. Solter’s music is much more dynamic and interesting than Pattern is Movement’s, despite it actually being Pattern is Movement’s music…if that makes sense. Not that it has to, nothing about this makes sense. But that’s why its fun.

(Published at MusicEmissions.com)