Anthony Pirog: The Nepenthe Series, Vol. 1 “From the Ambient Realm” LP (Otherly Love Records, 2023)
February 13, 2024 at 9:07 pm | Posted in Reviews | Leave a comment
Anthony Pirog: The Nepenthe Series, Vol. 1 “From the Ambient Realm” LP
Guitarist Anthony Pirog (of the Messthetics) reached out to several heroes and colleagues, and asked them to contribute material for a
collaborative ambient record, respectful that everyone might have a different definition of ambient. Nels Cline guests on opener “Ripples of Light”, a spot-on title for a piece that slowly looms over the horizon, suddenly flashing near the end like the sun is fully poking out. John Frusciante, still in electro-acoustic drone mood, adds sparkling textures from a Monomachine on “Aurora”, while Pirog’s guitar provides slow, heavy waves of soothing fuzz. “Dense Blazing Star” has distant, suspenseful guitar melodies that feel like synthwave without synths, while Luke Stewart’s electric bass crumples and flickers. “Inflorescence”, with Andy Summers of the Police, is one of the more cinematic selections, with soaring melodies and some nice interplay between the guitars/guitar synths, as well as a few strange parts that seem a bit frayed or curdled. “Glowing Gesture”, another title that couldn’t describe the sound more accurately, is more of an ambient Americana reflection, featuring Janel Leppin (Pirog’s partner) on pedal steel guitar. “Bernal Heights” is the only Pirog solo composition, and it’s a blurry, sweetly melancholy guitar synth piece. “Cirrus” (with Brandon Ross), yet again, lives up to its title by being soft and wispy. “Night Winds” (with Wendy Eisenberg) is darker and a bit more abrasive, with noisy feedback hissing behind rawer, more anxious lead notes. Finally, “Eternal River” (with Ryan Ferreira) is a sublime resolution, particularly when it reaches the chiming melody at the end.
The Answer Is In The Beat 
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