Duster - Contemporary Movement
(Up)
The name of Duster's recording studio, Low Earth Orbit, suggests the same type
of imagery that Duster's music invokes. Recording their material on lo-fi,
fuzz-producing four tracks, Duster creates slow, creeping, engulfing space rock.
Since Duster's debut album, Stratosphere, the band has toured with former Up
labelmates Modest Mouse, and that tour has had an impact on their sound.
Duster's noise-laden four-track recording style is unchanged, and the songs
still have a certain space rock quality; however, there is much more of an
indie rock vibe, as there are less layers of guitar, and the vocals, limited
range and all, are much more prominent. This change lessens the impact of
Duster's music but does not totally destroy it. The music is still engulfing,
just not as overwhelmingly or consistently so.
The opening track, "Get the Dutch," starts off the album wonderfully. Duster
has a knack for being able to create tension in their slowed down music without
ruining the soothing nature of it, and this song is a great example of that.
A driving three count drum beat and repetitive guitars create an overall
soothing atmosphere but as the repetition continues, the tension builds and
builds. After three minutes, the cymbals start to crash and the vocals ("We
make friends just to have more project/We make friends just to turn them
into enemies.") come in for a very effective emotional release.
The increased prominence of the vocals further emphasizes the bands link to
Olympia-based pop. If it was not for the mopey quality of "Me and the Birds,"
linking it to the album, it would stick out like a sore thumb, a sprightly
toy melody with a sing-songy vocal hook. Similarly, "The Breakup Suite"
uses only standard slowcore sounds and beat, letting the vocals lead and carry
the song, turning Duster's great mood altering qualities into a plain, ordinary,
poorly-produced rock song.
Their sounds and recording technique worked well together in their debut album,
but as the band changes direction, the parts do not all necessarily fit
together anymore. Comparing Contemporary Movement to Stratosphere, it is
wrong to consider this a disappointment. However, it is of lesser consistency
and overall quality, their new direction taking them away, even if only
slightly, from what makes them good and unique.
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