DOMINION

Now this really is the bees' knees. This one-track EP contains a thirty-minute post-rock treat, a track that gently takes the listener through a variety of soundscapes using oh-so-crisp drumwork, distorted guitar and bass with plenty of reverb and sustain. There's no tune, of course, and while ordinarily that would limit it's appeal to me, I'm captivated by the feel of the piece. It helps me identify what was missing from 'Cale:Drew', their album issued before this EP, which is the breadth of composition needed to truly draw the listener in.

'Dominion' has a much more ambient feel than anything on 'Cale:Drew', with a gentle guitar introduction giving way to a simple but slightly varied drum pattern. The song drifts like a summer shower until the twelve-minute mark, where drawn-out guitar notes are followed by sparse bass, and it all begins again ... at the twenty minute mark it grows heavier and darker for a time, with feedback squealing a thunderstorm of noise. The storm comes and goes for a while, until the track ends with a crunching climax and a long, delicious fade out. Doesn't sound much for thirty minutes of music, but that's the point. You're supposed to fill in the gaps.

Oddly, this album gave me a similar feeling to listening to early BOARDS OF CANADA: crisp rhythms over slightly restrained and muffled notes, the accompaniment to some imaginary documentary. I understand this was edited down from 50 minutes of music. I'm sure it's a better product for the edit, but I could cope with more of this!

JAKOB have constructed a delightful composition, one I will return to when the mood takes me: not often, but with pleasure each time. Four stars for those comfortable with post-rock, and possibly an extra star for those who enjoy ambient music. Best thing I've heard out of my home country for ages. Pure bliss.