Huntsville: Eco, Arches & Eras

"Eras" actually comprises the majority of Huntsville's whole double-CD Eco, Arches & Eras, recorded live at the Kongsberg Jazz Festival in 2007. It therefore typifies the trio's live sound, although here they are augmented by guests from Wilco—percussionist Glenn Kotche and guitarist Nels Cline.

The band specializes in the gradual build-up of powerful soundscapes through layering, with all three members using some sampling techniques. Percussionist Ingar Zach opens the piece with gentle throbs and minimalist percussion, though Ivar Grydeland soon leads the way—first, with his guitar and, after 20 minutes, adding motifs and melodies on banjo that clash or cross-reference in the mix.

In the wrong mood, this is just extended dissonance but, given the patience that a 55-minute track presupposes, this music comprises a tribute to the amalgamation of twenty-first century noise with twentieth century sounds. At the same time iconoclastic and traditional, it references both Elliott Sharp and Woody Guthrie.