BROKEBACK
Morse Code In The Modern Age: Across
The Americas (Thrill Jockey)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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A stunning instrumental mood triptych accompanied by two equally hypnotizing films, this project may be the first to fully integrate the potential of the CD, which up until now utilized the visual component in crass video commercial accompaniment. The music is spearheaded by Noel Kupersmith and Douglas McCombs, but is really an ensemble project with Yo La Tengo's James McNew, Calexico's Joey Burns and John Convertino helping out. Experimental music needn't be dull, but can be awfully dour. Brokeback aims for a slow, small town rainy day, and gets it. Throwing words out like abstract and texture and soundscape induces folks to run for the hills, so I'll try and entice with words like soothing and mischievous and clever. The films, haunting non-narrative sketches that work with and without the music, are by Braden King. Both come highly recommended.

© 2001 - John Sekerka