4 out of 5

Label: Homesleep

Produced by: Graeme Gibson, Jim McGranahan

 Two perfectly complementary bands… perfectly complement each other.

Both on, at points, Califone’s Perishable label amd frequently featuring crossover collaborators, Tim Rutili’s Califone and Phil Spirito’s orSo are already a stone’s throw from each other.  It’s still a joy to hear how amazingly Califone’s electronic-tinged folk blends with Phil’s more rustic variation, enhancing each and downplaying, to an extent, their respective wandering elements.

The piano tinkle and light percussion of the Rutili-led Slowness is the stuff of dreams, gorgeous and emotional and crisply balanced between flourish and precision.  The Spirito-led Ro gets stuck a bit in a repeating structure, but is still another enjoyable mash, just a bit dryer when guided by Phil’s vocals.  But the song ‘s ending, and lead in to the perky instrumental Wednesdays, are back on par with the first track.

Worth hunting down.