Wooden Shjips
Loose Lips

THE REVIEW

Loose Lips / Start to Dreaming is one of the many records dear to the culture of deformed perspectives, in my opinion among the most worthy of exemplifying the trance music of the beard-man and friends.

A metempsychosis of rhythm.

EP, 2010. As per the setup of very first wooden-shjips-iana memory, these two tracks are compositions of dimensionless music with rhythms that are basic yet immutable, circular and hypnotic, characterized by traits of pure sonic evanescence. The spiral infusion of sounds creates an evolution that is absolutely non-explosive for the tracks: an album that progresses dynamically, but in small increments, and the cyclic cadence of the rhythm might make it appear as almost static music.

From start to finish, it feels like floating over a warm sea of sound waves with light oscillating and pulsating distortions. Naturally, everything is enriched by the typical and velvety chant of Ripley Johnson: positioned in a limbo that is neither foreground nor background, the ever-reverberating, pulsating, and multi-directional singing seems to take on totally impassive and detached tones. Their take is rather singular psychedelia, with few and essential nuances, soft to the touch even in its most dissonant traits of acidified guitar.

The warm afternoons are not lacking, I’d say try lying on the ground and let the smoke form the word Wooden Shjips as you sweat, it may seem almost metaphysical music. Give a kiss before it melts away.

EP