Tagging Satellites

The sophomore release from this aptly-named trio of ambient space rock practitioners sounds like a throwback to the glory days of SST Records, circa 1987, when bands like Dinosaur Jr. and Sonic Youth were doing not only their best work but the best work of most rock bands of the day. Another of Graig Markel's projects, this Seattle band's latest offering is equal parts Sister-era Sonic Youth, early PJ Harvey and Janis Joplin. Not that singer Zera Marvel sounds like either of those women, though. She's got a style that's quite distinct. It's the contrasting of lovely and lilting vocals over stark minimalist indie rock and angry post punk that sparks the comparison. Especially on spirited gems like "Sun Damage" and "Less Fragile'" or the haunting epic "Time on My Halo." Interestingly, this record is being released at the same time as Markel's second solo effort, Hard Grammar. Unlike his bare bones, shoestring debut, this disc is more a band offering that displays his rock side in the same way his Verses on Venus record explored his dark side. Both records are deserving of you attention.