The Visitor (CD)
Jim O'Rourke
Amoeba Review
James Elliott 05/31/2010
Jim O’Rourke’s work has always reflected a restless aesthetic as his records make huge stylistic jumps from genre to genre. He has made rigorously minimal records, symphonic and finely detailed albums of tape music, rock songs, improv and noise, computer music and instrumental guitar music. Without a doubt everything that O’Rourke tackles reflects his keen ear and attention to detail. 2009’s The Visitor is his first solo record in almost eight years. It’s a welcome return. Referencing two of his most inventive records, 1997’s Bad Timing and 2001’s I’m Happy And I’m Singing And A 1, 2, 3, 4, this new release merges the Americana steel string guitar music and rock and roll of his Drag City records with the abstract electronica of the aforementioned Mego release. Eschewing vocals and boasting seemingly infinite layers of complex guitars and soaring melody, The Visitor comes across as the perfect American guitar symphony merging Ives and Fahey with a warm take on modern production techniques. It’s a huge return for O’Rourke and comes with the highest recommendation. Don’t miss out.
Track Listing
Disc 1 Titles |
Artist |
Length |
---|---|---|
1.
The Visitor
|
Jim O'Rourke | 38:04 |