Castanets
Tue 5 Jan 2010
Phosphorescent Shit Ripper
Driving across the desert listening to the Dead Man soundtrack just took another twist; try listening to Castanets’ latest album Texas Rose, The Thaw & The Beasts next time. With its concrete sounding blues grime and solid Americana core, Castanets’ fifth album oscillates wildly for 39 minutes giving you the perfect rusty awakening. It was released in September, 2009 on Asthmatic Kitty Records, a label packed full of underground heroes like Jookabox and Chris Schlarb, and Castanets has been in the AKR family since releasing their debut record in 2004.
Songwriter Ray Raposa is a nomadic warrior of the blues genre, writing songs that transcend time, echoing the pain and fury of the Mississippi Delta through to ’90s Americana, leading with wind swept rhythms and desolate whispers. Throughout his career he’s layered noise and experimented with free-jazz, but it’s always had a dark deserted quality filled with a menacing sense of loneliness and desperation. He often grinds his strings and delays his voice, an effect that makes him sound imposing and otherworldly.
Castanets is touring New Zealand this weekend, playing four shows with fellow Portland band Tiger Saw and Alps Of NSW from Sydney, Australia. All shows cost $15.
Castanets- Thaw And The Beasts: MP3
Castanets- Worn From The Fight (With Fireworks): MP3
