Artist : TARENTEL
Title : Looking For Things, Searching For Things
Cat# RES002
Format : Ltd Edition Vinyl 12" - Pressed on both black (1100) and orange vinyl (500)
Label : Resonant
Barcode # N/A

Release Info :

UK indie label Resonant finally returns with it's second release, six months after the sold-out (and still much in-demand) "Besides" EP by Godspeed You Black Emperor ! labelmates Do Make Say Think.

The band this time is Tarentel, a five-piece from San Francisco specialising in blissed-out, epic experimental post-rock with ambient leanings. Last year they
released their debut full-length album, "From Bone To Satellite", on the Baltimore - based Temporary Residence Limited label to great critical acclaim; this EP continues the long and winding journey which the LP began. The Resonant release follows hot on the heels of a limited 7" single on the UK - based Static Caravan label (with whom Resonant will be collaborating soon) and serves as a prelude to their first
European tour, scheduled for Autumn / Winter 2000.

The first release on Resonant generated masses of interest in the label, with repeat plays from John Peel (Radio 1) and John Kennedy (XFM) plus rave reviews in the NME, Select and The Wire amongst others helping spread the word; the Tarentel EP seems set to enhance the buzz further.

This release will be on strictly limited 12" only.


Tracklisting :

1. Looking For Things ...
2. Searching For Things


Extra Infos :

On the run out groove you will find the etched text "FIND THE DISTANT MAN..." (A) "...WAVING HIS SPOON" (B). This confused a few people but were just simply some lyrics plucked from Black Sabbath's mighty 'Supernaut'. A few CDR promos circulated before release under the name of 'The Meridian Web' before the band decided to change to the title we ended up with.

PRICE/COST

DELETED/OUT OF PRINT

Reviews :

Tarentel have produced a considerable amount of "buzz" lately, and it is for very good reason. Although often lumped into the epic instrumental rock (à la Godspeed) category, I would say that, at least with this release, they have taken a subtler approach than the drama of epic bands they are usually grouped with.

The 12" begins with "Looking For Things" which features a simple picked guitar theme accented by a low drum beat. This guitar theme, however, is so perfect in its simplicity that you don't mind hearing it repeated over and over again. This theme slowly builds, accompanied eventually by the distant wail of guitar feedback, and then with a more powerful drum beat that brings the song to a definite climax--but not a screeching wall of sound climax--which then drops out to be once again replaced by the original theme.

The reverse side brings us "Searching For Things" which is a little more on the droney side of Tarentel. It begins with a low hum which is soon overcome with another classically beautiful, picked guitar theme accompanied by some steel guitar sounding whines and a steady beat. This eventually disassembles into a drumbeat underscored with a single note. A sort of second movement, which features a very distant and muffled beat over which an occasional sparse guitar work is laid, eventually replaces this. This second movement eventually disintegrates into some otherworldly keyboard swirls.

Tarentel, like Godspeed You Black Emperor! and other bands they have been compared to, are masters at slow but steady development. The difference lies, however, is the fact that, with Tarentel, the build up doesn't always end up in a chaotic swirl of loud guitars, but often ends up in nothing but the leftovers of the original composition: a distant sample or a keyboard drone. Tarentel's "gimmick," if it can be called that, is nothing but thoughtfully and beautifully composed songs that leave a lasting impression. Tarentel certainly have earned all of the "buzz" surrounding them, and I anxiously await future releases. 11/12 Fakejazz.com

RELATED RELEASES THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST