Album Review: Brown - Various Shades Of...

Weird. That's probably the best one-word description for Adam Brown's debut album. “Not for everyone” might be another valid tag, but that's often the calling card of an act that is doing wildly imaginative things. And Brown are definitely doing that.

Just looking at the basics should have you intrigued. Adam Brown has been one of the most interesting improv performers in Perth for years. Add to the list Steve Hughes (of Usurper and Injured Ninja fame), Max Ducker (Mongrel Country), Maurice Flavel (Gutterville Splendour Six), Scott White (Like Junk) and more, and you almost have Brown. Almost. The last ingredient: a smattering of instruments welded, duct-taped and just generally infused from household objects, which creep and crawl through ambient electronic beds like so many spiders. There's nothing even resembling a hook or chorus on this album. Instead, Brown and co. seem content with worming their way into your head through avant-garde and surreal expressions of range. Opener Pond Nursery Rhyme builds subtle distortion over a tune carved straight out of a horror movie, while tracks like Draino and Brown Live In Our Lounge Room are almost tuneless hazes of ambient noise.

At first glance, Various Shades Of... is just about un-listenable. It's definitely not something you would want to put on in your car, or on the stereo during a house party. But give it time. The sounds subtly fade in and out, drawing your curiosity in as they challenge you to guess their origins. Not everyone will be a fan, but I don't think that's anywhere near the top of Brown's list of priorities.