Furrowed Brow

They Say...

Review by Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

Alexander Tucker's third solo album continues in the "explore various things at once" vein that has made him a feted figure among the Foxy Digitalis/Arthur/CD-R release world. Rightfully so, for that matter -- while there are many similar musicians working on their own excellent fusions and recombinations, Tucker's abilities equal his performing range well, from his fine self-harmonizing (which takes a bow immediately on the opening, and appropriately titled, "You Are Many") to sometimes amelodic constructions of tones, textures, and carefully layered noise. The blend of electric dronewash and more acoustic delicacy is not a new one, but the repopularization of that approach in the wake of Flying Saucer Attack has taken on many forms and Tucker demonstrates his knack for it well -- consider the calm, autoharp-styled filigrees on "Superherder" set against a background feedback whine that eventually turns into a looming, oppressive howl. At other points, pure sweetness is the goal -- "Saddest Summer" has some of the title's sorrowful implications in the gentle descent of the lead melody, but otherwise finds a perfect midpoint between the Durutti Column at its most entrancing and the gentlest ambience of Eno's late-'70s work. Some of the best moments on Furrowed Brow -- credit for a wonderful title as well! -- are ones that step outside the usual expectation of modern psychedelia for something else again. Thus the delicate combination of woodwinds, piano, guitar, and vocals on "Spout of Light," reminiscent of acts like the Sea and Cake and Movietone, and the free jazz-inspired rising flow of instrumentation on "Broken Dome" -- slow, deliberate, and increasingly chaotic. Add in cover art both amusing and unsettling and Furrowed Brow shows that Tucker is continuing to stake out a good spot for his work.