***Experimental rock outfit DARTO deliver their new Fundamental Slime‘ 12-inch via Aagoo Records. Formed in 2010 in Seattle, Washington, Darto is GORDON DE LOS SANTOS, GREGORY FLORES, CANDACE HARTER and NICHOLAS MERZ. This album was self-recorded on April 12-14 on Whidbey Island at the Flores Roost. It was mixed by STEVE FISK and mastered by APRIL GOLDEN. While their previous ‘Human Giving‘ explored the realm of human possibility within the context of hope, community and the dissolution of self, ‘Fundamental Slime‘ is an observation on the darker end of the human-possibility spectrum. Ego, power, and nihilism are dissected from the viewpoint of various individuals struggling to dominate or be dominated. Where the lyrics give voice, the sounds give flesh. Continuing to broaden the scope of instrumentation allowed Darto to wander into new territory on this album. Working with saxophonist NEIL WELCH of groundbreaking Seattle jazz duo BAD LUCK, the massively varied sonic qualities of the performance by a genius gave each song its own body – startling, confusing, soothing, airy, void, distant, deplorable, and beautiful.
12" $13.25
09/28/2018
***"Despite all of its catchy qualities, Human Giving by DARTO is a difficult album to pin down. The lyrical phrasing, and melodies have been stuck in my head for months. The mood is set immediately from the first note of 'GDLS,' enveloping the space around the listener. By the time 'I Am' enters, the sound and feeling transitions from lush and inviting, to focused and intentional with the keyboards and strings propelling the movement and allowing the lyrics and accompanying melodies to float along seamlessly. The feeling is similar to being lulled into a dream. Like any dream spell you have no idea until you wake. As the record progresses splashes of Americana seem to emerge, painting subtle pictures of the American West, or a vast expanse that we would associate it with. It’s a momentary visit to those places as Darto keeps moving, exploring new worlds. 'Character Study' is a prime example of such. The eerie beauty that surrounds this song positively shakes me. The most ecstatic moment of the album also arrives in this song. It takes me to a place filled with light, and oddly enough this is as close to psychedelic as this album gets, despite the psych realms the band takes us with songs like 'Guiding Light' or 'Aging.' The album ends with the gorgeous 'American Storyteller.' It’s cinematic and soft. The picture, the scene that is painted in my mind is in black, white and silver. As the title states, this is a story,...
LP $14.50
09/08/2017