Guardian Alien - Guardian Alien (Swill Children, 2011)

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Given their enigmatic presentation, New York's Guardian Alien offer very little background aside from an abstract paragraph explaining the origins of their debut LP, a gleaning of studio and live recordings at Brooklyn's Shea Stadium. When compiled into two 20-odd-minute sides, these performances merge into two sprawling explorations by way of synth, guitar, drums (provided by Liturgy's Greg Fox), and vocals.

Guardian Alien dodge basement dweller aspirations of merely freaking out on record and opt to travel along both steep and downward slopes. Lighting the A-side is a swirl of kosmische-esque loops, buzzing vibrations, and spiritual vocal moans. With elevating turmoil, suspense becomes its most turgid amongst a surge of psych-rock cataclysm. With quavering guitar atop, the group enters a phase of disconnect before an ultimate spate denoted by harrowing screams and blast-beats.

The B-side floats upon a queasy hum, frantic bows, and tumbling drums, patiently adapting to a moreover coherent cadence veiled by a blurry mantra. In contrast to its precursor, the second half is more or less a departure from an evolution-minded route and veers its head to the hypnotic potency of meandering; not aimless, but sprawling. Evading conventions, Guardian Alien is nearly absent of the high volume often associated with many improvisational outfits, fulfilling only the diligent.



[Buy Guardian Alien from Swill Children]