Sound Track web extra: “Already Nothing” by Telecine

Already Nothing, the new EP (and third album) by local noise-rock trio Telecine (Andrew Larson, Steven Teague, Jon McDuffie) is, actually, a lot of something. In under 30 minutes, the scopic project crashes and drifts through moods and vistas. It’s at once aggressive and aloof, tightly-coiled and unpinned, gritty and refined. The album, recorded in Haywood County and mastered by Larson and Teague, drops on Friday, Sept. 12.

Lead track “For Fair Starts at Denial” eases in on dusky chords and sustained notes. It’s a descent into Telecine’s signature sonic crush. The first punch of Larson’s vocal, matched by McDuffie’s drum kit, is poignant. But the overall effect of the song is like being rolled by a wave rather than battered by a fist. There’s a fluid grace to the metallic tones, the electric whine of feedback and the near-constant buzz of reverb.

“Autoimmunoid” is twitchy and charged. It’s a song with muscle, though its advance is more of a deliberation than a barrage. The beat, crisp above the fuzzy snarl of guitars, propels the song into its crests and the refrain, “How long will you chase the same words?”

Photo from the band's Facebook page
Photo from the band’s Facebook page

“Wrong Actually” opens with 24 seconds of quiet whirr — a fan or a record left to spin long after the needle has reset itself — before the hushed and measured melody kicks in. Here, the sonic palette is cool and pretty enough to provide an interesting juxtaposition to the  track’s more violent textures. That Telecine can move so easily between these opposing themes, so effortlessly stitching delicate dream-pop to brisk post-punk is a testament to the band’s considerable musicianship.

There’s a slowed softness to “Check the Footing First,” though here, the aching melody plays over chafing industrial background noise. It’s the score to a faded Super-8 of the Beach Boys performing in a steel mill — or at least the elements of that scenario. The sun-dappled atmospherics, the nostalgia-tinged resonance, the grinding turbulence.

The EP ends with “If No for the Waiting…Guns,” the track with the most dramatic build. Noise laces around a waltzing beat and a sort of ’60s pop-inspired melody. But the romantic longing inherent in the song’s tender notes — and Larson’s lithe vocal, which shines even in the grungiest moments — is blown out in ever-heavier layers of strings and percussion. And, like the shuddery release of a good ugly-cry, it’s completely satisfying.

Telecine performs a record release show at The Odditorium, on on Friday, Sept. 12, at 9 p.m. (Young) American Landscape also performs. $5.

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.

One thought on “Sound Track web extra: “Already Nothing” by Telecine

Leave a Reply to Dakota ×

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.