red

Camped out somewhere in deepest, iciest Iceland SfA (aka Matthew Collings) makes music from the ends of the earth. Utterly unique, Sketches has all the musical adventure of John Mcentire, Tortoise or Kevin Shields without sounding a bit like any of them

Red is no exception. The label’s long awaited debut release it pretty much defies definition. Continually at odds with itself, the album is crammed with spider filled post rock corners that are then swept clean by seconds of fragile lo-fi light.

From the firecracker percussion of Jol snapping like a New Year’s Parade in Chinatown to the unhinged strings of Soldier. The sweet hearted stillness of Daniel Likes Birds to the awestruck mong tone of album opener The Hustler, there is always something that catches you offguard - a whispered answering machine message, the clattering warmth of tiny bells, an unidentifiable noise.

It is, according to Sketches, the result of ‘ridiculous amounts of time making tapes and attempting to record things I didn’t understand.’

SfA’s plans for the future include some gigs with CJ Boyd, ambushing audiences with huge hidden speaker stacks at gigs and ‘staying in Iceland for as long as possible.’

Hailing from Iceland, Sketches for Albinos is a one man band comprised entirely of Matthew Collings, 'Red' represents Sketches first full length album, having previously released a self titled EP.
The ten tracks on 'Red' are individually beautiful, combine them and what you get is something wonderfully brilliant. At times quiet, slow and methodical there is the occasional song that is louder, faster and more chaotic, each track has its own distinct sound and each one tells a story.
Matt has been polishing the album for over a year, and it shows. Every track sounds lovingly crafted and it feels like it's at the highest level it could be before it was released.
Being post-rock/electronica, and being from Iceland I have to draw comparisons to Sigur Ros, something I am sure that Matt won't mind. Like Sigur Ros each Sketches song creates a glorious soundscape for the artist to draw the listener into, Sigur Ros aren't the only obvious influence though, there are on occasions things that sound very much like Godspeed You Black Emperor.
All of the tracks are instrumental, some with pre-recorded vocals weaved in and others with the odd, random noise, every time you hear a track it's like hearing it for the first time because you are able to pick out something you missed last time.
One of my favourite tracks from the album is 'Crow, Lights & Melody Loops' with its upbeat sounding instrumentals it hides the yearning behind the music that is evident on a second or third listen. Another favourite is 'Rony Schneider' a somewhat bleak track in comparison to 'Crow, Lights & Melody Loops' it is stark and intricate and features in the background, barely audible, what sounds like a family in their home, with children playing and adults talking, whilst a beautiful piano piece plays over them.
Like I said, each of the ten tracks on 'Red' is an individual masterpiece and I've found myself listening to it over and over, each time trying to hear something new or hear the track in a different way. I really can't say enough good things about this album, nor do I feel I can do it justice in a review, you really have to hear this for yourself.
10/10
http://www.rawkstar.net/releases/80