Dusker
Label: Ghostly International
Length: LP
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Dusker
Any point of entry on Kiln’s Dusker will garner the same deeply intoxicating effect. The order of tracks in this collection of sparkling instrumental works has little effect on how the compositions will play out, either in headphones (recommended) or on a living-room shelf stereo. The Michigan three-piece behind Kiln puts machines and organic instruments to use in production, but the album is ultimately processed and electronic-sounding, though far from frigid. Dusker’s cut-up percussion clicks and crackles, while layers of disintegrating melodies shift to and fro; individual contributions are rarely discernible. Guitar lines are prominent in the galloping “Colorfreak”; two central notes tapped out on an electric piano in “Sunsethighway” mimic those traveling through blown speakers, with a delay effect pedal that’s drained its batteries. Dusker is an experience worth sharing, each moment echoing and crumbling with grace and hesitation, no matter which track is played first.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2007.