Drowned -- Drowned A project of Paul Molyneux, TASK 1999 [Last Sigh Magazine]

Track Listing

1. Closer To Still
2. Cosis
3. Eyearmneedle
4. Pretas
5. Eyeswidershut
6. Drowned
7. Wolfspiders
8. Goofy
9. Blank Sight
10. Dust

    Drowned is yet another side project of one Paul Molyneux of Ocosi and Radius Suck fame. This release is quite different from the heavy beat-laden previous works by this U.K. resident. Drowned uses guitars, bass, programming and lo and below, 'vocals', on this yet unreleased material.
    The first track "Closer To Still" is a slower piece of work with long drawn out dronal guitar, soft sparce drums in the background, and layers of calming noise and eclectic timbre. The next track, "Cosis" starts out with heavy guitar ripping at my ears, then proceeds to a twisted piece of work that might leave you thinking you just had an LSD flashback -- the vocals are echoed and weave inside and out of intense timbre of drums and buzzing guitar sounds. Pretty whacked out. "Eyearmneedle" is yet another crazy track that begins with a wall of noise that sounds like I could be standing on a busy freeway in a nightmare, vehicles racing past and I just can't wake up...but then the sonic road takes a turn into drum beats and more pounding blasting screaming noise that has a hint of pulse behind it.
    The fourth track, "Pretas" is equally amazing -- rumbling bassy noise/guitar effects are punctuated with an occaisional deep drumming which gives an air of evil and caution to the piece. "Eyeswidershut" is another trippy piece of work. The vocals are dreamlike and echoed with a swirling background of buzzing yet gentle guitar[?] noise flowing back and forth with intermittent roll of drums... The title track "Drowned" is equally interesting, starting with vocals echoing off into the distance for about a minute then moves into the next track, "Wolfspiders", where the guitar is fuzzy and grinding with clear continuous drumming and a sawing effect in the background, spooky. Wolf spiders are no fun.
    Track 8, "Goofy" is a relatively mello track with soft single note guitar, echoing beats and swirling/rumbling atmospherics. "Blank Sight" has a dark and risky mood, more guitar blending and shifting of soundscapes. The final track, "Dust" has deep repeating drum beats, convoluted guitar insertions and a background of shifting noise.
    Overall, Drowned is an interesting batch of expressive experimental synth/guitar work from Paul Molyneux.