EBSK: Space:2003 and Deep Red
Scarcelight

Washington-based EBSK (Clarinetist and Bass Guitarist Eric Bruns and Casio SK aficionado John Rickman) returns with a second 3-inch CDR on Scarcelight, this time a two-track set that nicely showcases the duo's carefully calibrated fusion of indie-rock, psychedelia, post-rock, and electronica. Woozy electronic tones bring ethereal flavour to “Space: 2003” though the tune's explorative, often ponderous comminglings of bass fuzz and lilting, metronomic pulses also point it towards remote galaxies. In contrast to the chillier opener, Bruns' clarinet imbues the more episodic “Deep Red” with warmth before twitchy scrapings and needle-point flutter take over. Halfway through, a muffled horn sound initiates a placid interlude followed by a more insistent post-rock outro of dub bass and wave-like shimmer. Though short at seventeen-minutes, the disc's material strikes a commendable balance between improvisation and structure.

December 2005