Wandering in the Vastness is the 13th(!) studio album from the Seattle sextet Sky Cries Mary. Recorded in the depths of pandemic lockdown at numerous studios -- vocals for “Red Red Fox” were captured on a cell phone! -- these dozen songs are the work of a band thrust into isolation and free to experiment. The result? Spacy, psychedelic, progressive jam music made with everything from traditional instruments to drone boxes, E-bow, tablas and a Casio keyboard.
For example, “Raga Metal Machine” -- a tribute to Lou Reed’s infamous Metal Machine Music -- involves five raga drone boxes run through a wall of Fender Twin Reverbs, guitar and some primitive vocals. On the other hand, Debra Reese adds sweet vocal textures to the anxious, understated “L Train” while shining up the aggressive punk of “Bridge Sleepers.” “Can’t Find the Time (Foolish),” with its chunky guitars and big, bouncy chorus, might be the album’s most straightforward song, followed by “A Lonely Deer,” which could have sprung from a contemporary indie-rock band.
Jack Endino (Nirvana and Soundgarden) helmed these recordings, as well as played guitar and a little bit of drums, and the result is a challenging but engrossing listen that demands the listener focus on -- and absorb -- every note.
Track Listing:
1. Crystal Gazing
2. L Train
3. Red Red Fox
4. Can’t Find the Time (Foolish)
5. Chaos at the Port
6. Bright Biggest Eyes
7. The Dolmen
8. Jodo
9. Bridge Sleepers
10. Raga Metal Machine
11. A Lonely Deer
12. Dream Yourself to Sleep
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