4 out of 5

Label: digital release, bandcamp

Producer: Doug Scharin

I got this free track off Doug’s bandcamp site… sadly, I don’t think I see it there anymore to read up on it… but I sense this is a cut from the “Echoes” vinyl single that Directions released (I’ve changed the title… Scharin’s site had it listed as a Scharin track), which would’ve entered into the picture around Out of Worship / early HiM times, so the style of it makes sense – namely that the world beat that percolates through current (as of 2013) Scharin stuff is present, but tinged with some jazzier influences and a clean, electronic dusting to the whole affair.  The structure leans toward a more Tortoise-esque post-rock of slow builds, which makes sense if this actually is a directions track, as Scharin was bundled with Bundy K. Brown and some other Chicago-ers for that group.

I regret that I don’t have the vinyl single in question to say if this is an alternative version of either of the mixes of “Echoes” on that recording (note that this was called “Echoes of Nothing” on Scharin’s site), but this does work beautifully as a single because it finds elements from many aspects of Doug’s work and diddles them into a design that starts agreeably (a lot of HiM tracks build, but sort of start full bluster in terms of pace, so if you’re not in the mood, yer out) via some pleasant electronic clips that lead into drumming and strumming, working into a nice balance of pomp and dub for a well-rounded 5 minute runtime.  I’d tell you to go download it to get a pretty good idea of Doug’s strengths, but, harumph and all.

If I get ahold of the original single, I’ll update this review.  YOU CARRRRRRREEEEE