Is And Of The is the experimental project of 20-year-old Drew Bandos. His new album Heads Phased For Dreamless Sleep is made up of mostly instrumental jams using real guitar, drums, synthesizers, and electronic touches. Spoken word interludes often appear throughout many of the tracks; though, "Sleepless Dream" features actual vocals that glide through the scattered sounds and heartbeat percussion. The eleven songs on Heads Phased seem to depict the multitude of thoughts that pass through our heads before we fall asleep. These thoughts could be from conversations we had earlier in the day, memories of our pasts, and tidbits of noise that our minds pick up subconsciously. It's the kind of album that Dom Cobb would have on his iPod.
When I read the bio behind Is And Of The, I was expecting more of a chillwave or glo-fi type sound, but this album has more in common with progressive, post-rock. Guitars and drums are a bigger presence on this album than synthesizers (though they're still there), and there are often shining moments of heavy riffing that you would only expect from a live band. "This Is A Strange Repose" starts with an acoustic soothing melody before it begins getting progressively louder and deeper as if you're rushing to the ground after falling off a cliff. The following track "They Were The Wet Grass That Clung To My Feet" is just as good with its electric guitar and rapid drumming that end the song.
Bandos seems to be a fan of long song titles as if you couldn't tell, but my favorite has to be "Are You A Ghost, Bill Murray?" even though it's not necessarily a great track. Much of Heads Phased isn't "great", mostly good though very repetitive. Throughout the album I was able to pick out moments that I liked, but they're not enough to make a lasting impression or warrant more than a few more listens. However, this is how most instrumental based music strikes me -- I enjoy it in spurts, but my mind drifts too much during it. I need something with a voice, a human element to fully engage me. Bandos incorporates some human touches, but they never stick or make the song stand out from the others. In a way, Heads Phased For Dreamless Sleep is like a dream from the night before, only slightly memorable. - Earbuddy |
