`In the Light of the Blistering Moon` is the debut album from How Strange It Is which is really the brainchild of Portland, Oregon`s Jordan Krinsky. The artist shares vocals, guitar and synth/keys and has been joined on this more collaborate work by Annie Fifer (vocals, guitar), Annie Miranda (bass) and Kyle Gordon (drums/percussion). He also had additional contributions from Benson Chong (synth/keys), Caleb Ballard (clarinet) and Elian Conroy (trumpet).
The album opens with `Another Gold Day` a gentle introduction with quietly shared vocals as if waking to a new day and all the possible positive opportunities such can present. It grows in volume as it awakens or evolves and ends with a blast of brass instruments before merging into `Control`. This number is fast paced and a real cacophony of sounds and ideas. It appears to be about returning home in the early hours of the morning after a night on the tiles.
`Bug` has a mix match of musical sounds but rolls along with fairly introspective lyrical content that is a little “out there”. The last couple of minutes veer off in a slightly different direction before closing out with more of a guitar led jam. We have in `Autumn` an almost `day in the life` of what may well be somebody coping with their mental health state during the fall when days are shorter. It has a synthy vibe, that to me, gave it an almost oriental flavour. Another train of thought or consciousness offering.
`Home Life` is a little eclectic and sort of ambles along with lyrics that seem fairly surreal but may allude to trying to leave the safety of home for what`s outside. It really takes off three parts of the way through with swirling organ synth swathes and distorted guitar riffs and a much more anguished vocal. We have a brief soundscape of rain falling on what sounds like a roof on `Circles` which seems to give a natural time out point to this release.
The previous number merges into `Head Holder` which for me was a delightful ear worm of a track with sweet harmonies, jangling, chugging and splayed guitar chord riffs, synths and some brass infusions. The lyrics are a little bizarre but seem to meld quite well. A track I played a number of times before moving on. There`s a sense of ease and contemplativeness to `Poets` which is a thoughtful tender folk come dreamlike composition.
`Heart Attack`, I read was inspired by the four one hundred plus year old Doug Fir trees surrounding the house the group use for band practice in North Portland. It`s a fairly hypnotic number that just seems to develop in its own style as it evolves. Oddly enchanting. The album closes out on `Watch It Go` which seemed initially like a structured musical jam that allowed a curious and unconventional thought process to be shared. It has a lull and becomes fairly trippy at the mid-point before concluding with a blast of energy and commotion at the death.
Jordan and How Strange It Is are categorised as DIY which to me is almost derisory and smacks of being amateurish and this album is so far from that. It`s quirky, offbeat and at times quite surreal but has a delightfully mesmerising charm. I don`t profess to understand the lyrical content but that allows one to interpret it in a way that has meaning to you.
I read a statement about were the band hail from which said that an initiative to support local businesses was contrived with the phrase, “Keep Portland Weird” which has fast become Portland’s unofficial motto.
How Strange It Is and `In The Light Of The Blistering Moon` have certainly embraced this proposal and long may they continue to push the envelope.
Rating 8.5/10
