M B Baker “Cairns”

29 Oct 2014 — Evelyn Malinowski

Canadian cooperative label Heretical Objects' latest release Cairns by M B Baker is a slow-burning acoustic guitar long night in the woods. Its dreamy aspects might arrive from cricket sounds, or likenesses to Animal Collective's Campfire Songs. Mostly, the ethereal vibe derives from patient chord progression which is at times beautiful and otherwise dissonant. "Two," the aptly titled second track on the album, bears this quality the most. "Six," another aptly titled track as it is the sixth track, is a raw, ambient scene, shimmering like a winter morning, complete with an effect which resembles snowdrift carried by bitter winds as heard from inside of a dwelling. It is indeed a beautiful track. "Sinister Purpose" is an experimental Cash-esque revenge track, and more straightforwardly structured than most of the other songs. The album as a whole is both vocal and instrumental, folky and psychedelic; I believe Baker's focus really is in delayed guitar cadence and the space between accentuations, the moments of silence between crackling wood. 

Cairns is out now and you can download or buy the limited edition cassette here.