Hammock - "Stranded Under Endless Sky"

Clocking in at a mere twenty-five minutes, Stranded Under Endless Sky is a great introduction to the duo of Marc Byrd and Andrew Thompson and a perfect teaser of the next album for the fans. Consisting of just four tracks (three of which are five minutes or more), Hammock pack enough emotion and provocative instrumental storytelling to fully engage and satisfy even the most jaded listener. All that is required is patience, as these beautiful, shimmering homages to the Cocteau Twins and Bola unfold at their own pace, in their own time, revealing secrets upon repeated listening. Recalling the less ambient moments of Robert Fripp's soundscapes work and the gentler moments of Mirror-era Flying Saucer Attack, "An Empty Field", the closer, slowly gathers a sense of tension around itself using pastoral, fuzzed-out blurs of guitar noise set against a glistening ambient drone. Much like their previous work, Stranded Under Endless Sky is an excellent mini album from Hammock, who continue their ascent to godhead status among the drone-rock underground.