Tape Tuesday: Cowboy Sadness Explore Ambient Americana on “Select Jambient Works Vol. 1” CS
I assume many people had a similar experience when seeing the name and title of the cassette invoked in this review, namely wondering whether it was all a put-on or some sort of ironic sendup. Despite the tounge-in-cheek, Aphex Twin-referencing album title and equally cheeky band name, the group prove that no matter the titles or origin of the group, they’ve got the chops to make a commanding, engrossing record.
On Select Jambient Works Vol. 1, the band features musicians who are otherwise in bands like The Antlers, Bing & Ruth and Port St. Willow, blending synths, organ, percussion and baritone guitar into a whimsical blender that will scratch the itch of any fan of lush ambient or drone, with a very slight jangle for good measure.
Clocking in at just under one hour, the tape is ten songs that are peaceful and lush, a tinge of sadness countered with a bucolic beauty that that shimmers through your speakers, swelling and cresting. From glistening keys on “Billings, MT,” to the lush drones of “Full Mammoth,” the CS is a tour de force of ambient electronic music. Sounds range from the minimalist percussion, trembling strings and wafting organs on “First Rodeo” to the ominous sunset of “Rodeo” and the dark, expanding vortex of “Starcharger,” creating an album that wraps its arms around the listener.
The title and band name obviously aren’t totally lacking in some wink-wink irony, but don’t let that keep you away from this outstanding album. The tape came out in January and it’s been in rotation on my sound system ever since.
You can stream and purchase the album below (as a cassette or on vinyl) and keep an eye on the band to see if this was a one-off project or, hopefully, just the opening salvo of the project.
Writer / co-founder
