Sound Track web extra: Shane Perlowin’s “Odei”

Shane Perlowin is prolific. His new solo album, Odei, follows less than a year after his last release, Anatomy of a Moment, with percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani. Also in that eight months or so, Perlowin toured in Europe, composed sheet music and begat an heir — hence Odei‘s spritely-if-contemplative middle track, “Is That You My Daughter to Be.”

The entire seven-track collection is all acoustic guitar, strummed and plucked and seemingly bent and cajoled into shapes both dreamy and uncomfortable. If this album was a series of yoga poses, it would flow through moments of release and tension, of muscular gripping and soulful surrender. “Torture Fabric” is percussive thrumming, a rubber band pulled taught and snapped, musical here and nettled there — though why should something bitingly atonal be considered “non musical”? If Perlowin is asking that question through his explorations at the far reaches of the guitar’s boundaries, the answer seems to be that all sounds are equally worthy and warrant a voice in the choir.

“Barricades” buzzes and snaps with coiled anticipation. So layered and interwoven are that track’s sounds that it’s hard to believe it is, indeed, a solo effort. But even as it morphs from twang to hum to bee-loud gambol, it maintains a core of melody. Perlowin has long been a pathfinder in experimental music, and Odei continues that mission with a journey through moods and soundscapes. The song cycle is bookended by the moody ebb of “Blind Contour” — a song on which even Perlowin’s fingers squeaking on the strings adds to the sonic kaleidoscope — and the fluttering almost Eastern strains of “The Wake.”

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.