In Athens there lurks a coalition that chooses to convey its energies down decidedly noncommercial channels — let us unofficially dub it the Solponticello School, after the label that is home to Kyle Dawkins, Erik Hinds and the Georgia Guitar Quartet, among others. Dawkins' previous CD Conasauga might as well be the work of an interloper, its exclusively acoustic candor contrasted by the electronics-laden Walls Became The World with its samples, feedback, dollops of reverb and otherworldly pulsations — all merged with a facility on stringed instruments the all-around guitarist is already known for. Save "Sightings," with input by Erik Hinds, Dawkins is responsible for every sonority, smooth or fractured, subtleties galore. The sparseness of "Prelude," an atmospheric piano ditty adorned by sampled female voice, is bucked by the fullness of "Everyday (this happens to you)" and its banjo and plucked violin, resonant bass and muted alien-child whispers. "Warpaint" steps up the urgency with tight acoustic strumming; "…and every single one of them went up for air" matches it and adds a tender melody and punctuates the beat. "Sticks and Stones," in turn, is a deranged collage; pylons of static interrupt the rhythm — the "B" section is a haunting incidental piece driven by a somber piano mantra and a flood warning voice-over. Dawkins ups the quirk factor further yet for "A New Place," which resembles the score to a Spongebob episode, but the title track returns fire with its tri-pronged attack of banjo, bass and violin. Structure isn't about to be jettisoned in favor of experimentation just yet. This is deep listening for insomniacs.
Tracklist:
1. Prelude
2. Everyday (this happens to you)
3. Warpaint
4. …and every single one of them went up for air
5. Sticks and Stones
6. The Nest
7. A New Place
8. Walls Became The World
9. The Hatching Ground
10. Sightings
Total time – 44:10
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