Requiem Mass and Other Experiments

Greg Ashley’s third solo album further explores experimental instrumentals and sonic topographies. It's a definite deviation from both his earlier psych-folk and the haunting garage rock of his former band The Gris Gris. “Part I” starts with Garrett Goddard (Howlin’ Rain, Colossal Yes, The Cuts) playing Mo Tucker–inspired drumming while Ashley picks electric arpeggios delicately and cautiously—as if his life depended on it—and a tasteful saxophone provides smooth contrast. In “Part II,” Ashley’s playing orbits around minor chords before getting into more dramatically ascending notes that dance around Goddard’s deep drum tones. As they delve into the musical depths of Ashley’s mind, “Part III” gets even darker with bombastic, orchestral-inspired arrangements. Finally, “Part IV” plays like the adventure is heading toward a lighted clearing; marching drum patterns accompany flute, cello, violin, and more proggy guitars. The brief “Lopp” approximates Cluster–inspired krautrock through a distorted Gris Gris filter. Listen to that one through headphones for the hard-panned mix to work its magic.