Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Jeanscape - The Strand

12/7/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture
Jeanscape

The Strand
self-released; 2016

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

The Strand by Jeanscape aka Daniel Wiggins is an experimental, atmospheric album that according to him is “Intended as a continuous listening experience, the album documents various dreams interwoven together into a suite.”

The Strand has strains of many different artists. You can make some comparisons to Scott Walker, Godspeed You! Black Emperor (the ambient sound collages they make) and Jon Cage. 

Wiggins mentions that this album is meant to be one continuous experience which I think is something that should be true for all albums. I did enjoy this album while there was a connection between the songs they also felt quite distinct. This felt more like to me like a person who was waking up and going back to sleep even with the seamless transitions. I’d also say these soundscapes felt more like nightmares. Some felt like you are going to the depths of a scary, spiritual world. Songs that could be used in a horror movie.

Up first is “The Strand” which creeped me out. Distant waves loom in the background, was that a voice I heard, why is someone counting in a terrifyingly scary voice. Don’t listen to this in the dark or maybe you should.

Up next is “Lucidity” which is a little less creepy because there is a beat and bass line. It has a David Lynch Twin Peaks vibe. “The Swollen Sun” is more or less pure ambience apprehension as if you are spiraling into a loop of madness. Perhaps the most terrifying is “Sub Terrain” which has an apt title. It sounds like it's thousands of miles underneath the earth's surface where the mole creatures live. Oh shit - There was a malfunction with the main engine and you have to get out and repair it. Don’t mind that moan that sounds like it’s coming from a demon.

We get some levity with “Montony” which transported me back to earth with a bass line. He ends with the fourteen-plus-minute “The Morning Call.” This song was a little less terrifying but still felt ominous. The airy synths gave it a sci-fi feel. It seemed to end in the rain forest.

I’m not sure if Wiggins has worked in movies but his music seems tailor made for film. He mentions he made this album with live instrumentation, kitchen utensils and live recordings. I think at the very least he could use the album as a resume to work as a foley artist. 

​I can’t say The Strand will be everyday listening for most people. It’s music that really has to be listened to on high quality headphones or good speakers to be fully appreciated. I would definitely encourage everyone to at least listen to this. I’m not sure I would say enjoyable is the right word but it an immersive, sometimes terrifying experience that shouldn't be missed. Recommended.
Become A Fan
Tweet
2 Comments
Amanda
12/11/2016 02:15:08 pm

This guy should be doing movies! As much as it scared the crap out of me, monotony gave me a nice breather to get myself ready for the next track which sounded like having a conversation with my dead uncle and then being teleported to the afterlife and not before passing through the vast desert and across the entire planet. Beautiful. Loved this so much. My fav track!!

Sub Terrain... Christ the didgeridoo sounding demon noise sent shivers down my spine!! I felt like I was a million miles beneath the earths crust and lost.
The opening track was brilliant and creepy, sounded like I was surrounded by ghosts and an old sea side amusement park. Totally creeped me out.



Wiggins mind is brilliant! Looking forward to hearing more from this guy!

Reply
Amanda Fiannaca
12/18/2016 01:18:37 am

Hey I posted a comment about this Ep a week ago and can't see it..?

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact