Here’s a welcome oddity, a double-vinyl potpourri of demos, live tracks, collaborations, unreleased gems and genre-splicing originals. Unfortunately it’s not polite to mention the album’s title or inspiration (a Supreme Dicks song) in public. Mention to Grandma that this is a record and she’ll probably be happy.
Your Victorian Breasts should be of interest not only to our experimental-minded readers, but to fans of guitar work, drone and electronics. While most of the tracks are instrumental, even the vocal selections here have something to offer, especially those that wander off the beaten path. Not everything works, partially because the scope is so wide, but there’s enough to attract the attention of forward-minded fans. A psychedelic tinge makes this a perfect recommendation for Aquarius.
Among the instrumental tracks, William Tyler’s warm “A Portrait of Sarah” is an early standout. The electric guitar picking sounds homespun, despite the presence of a plug and amplifier; it’s front porch music for the 21st century. Originally released as a 7″, the track shines a spotlight on his solo work apart from Lambchop. Alasdair Galbraith (who appeared on the other side of that 7″) contributes the languid “New Heart of Darkness”, which delves into mystery with ritualistic rhythm and wind. Date Palms’ demo “Dust Bowl Theme” picks up this thread and carries it further, reminding this reviewer of last year’s effort from These Ship Wrecks. Supreme Dicks offer a more benign, peaceful timbre on the “long-shelved” track “4 Come In (For Gaelle)”, which closes the set in a kind fashion.
Two electronic pieces are of special note. A dense new track from Robert Hampson (“Retour à la chaleur”) continues his “it’s not a comeback because I never left” streak, which caught fire in 2012 with the simultaneous release of Signaux (reviewed here) and Sustained Layers. The second half of the piece pushes the drone levels into the red. And Black to Comm impresses with “Nord”, another new piece that gurgles and grows, reminding us of the versatility the artist has displayed through a number of hard-to-classify releases.
In the vocal department, Hamilton Yarns presents a very unusual live track, in that the audience claps at unexpected moments and breaks out into a chorus of “Peas Porridge Hot” for no apparent reason. And Mandrugo’s “Estrella Fugaz” starts with kitchen noises and guitar noodling before turning into an impromptu speakeasy, courtesy of husband and wife Victor Herrero and Josephine Foster. Cutlery sounds continue throughout and are topped off by the cry of a happy baby, an endearing touch that makes this the collection’s most memorable piece. three:four records has a good thing going, and this set is evidence of the label’s open-minded attitude and adventurous spirit. (Richard Allen)
Release date: 5 February
a closer listen 