Search - Faultline :: Closer Colder

The debut album by Brit gear wiz David Kosten, Closer Colder is an ambitious and largely successful attempt to explore dark urban beats while pushing slick, cinematic textures far beyond the typical soundscapes. The first cut, "Awake," lays out many of the paradoxes to come: after a broken loop of distorted drums makes you think your CD player is dying, the malevolent vibes of a dub bass kick in, followed by gorgeous filigrees of cello. Using a potentially pretentious range of live instruments--including bassoon, recorder, trumpet, and xylophone--Kosten pulls it all together, crafting tasteful, moody instrumentals like a dub-wise Spirit of Eden-era Talk Talk. Abrupt transitions enhance the filmic vibe, as well as the Scanner-like use of vocal samples; in addition to a bite from Blue Velvet, Kosten includes distorted porn chatter and a violent threat left on his answering machine by a disgruntled singer. I suspect his phone messages have gotten distinctly more upbeat of late. --Erik Davis