Deserted

A Shoreline Dream sound just as the back cover of the album depicts: a whistling wind upon a desolate desert landscape where no human voice is heard for miles. All aspects of the production and artwork of Avoiding the Consequences are a calculated whole, as the truth in advertising suggests. The Denver quartet has a deliberate concept where music is one means by which the ambience is set. The tracks run as a film score to an artistic expression or medium the listener isn’t quite privy because the audience can’t see the actual “film.”The album is designed as a story, complete with a tedious prelude and ending. Unfortunately, the story never reaches any sort of denouement. The seemingly arbitrary but curious titles give away little in terms of intent. The body of the album is instead a moody and ethereal instrumental of experimentation. The beautiful layered production of songs such as “Love is a Ghost in America” is wonderful for atmosphere. “Projections” momentarily gives hope of mobility with a speeding drum sequence, but wanders off and never takes flight. The guttural vocal noise on “Zoning” indicates it appears not only to be the song title but great advice to the listener. The slow pace and intermittent haunting vocal sounds confirm that this album is an acquired taste.

Fans of Massive Attack or Sigur Ros may be intrigued, as will those whom enjoy gazing at their shoes. Be forewarned, however, that A Shoreline Dream lack the foreign Icelandic eccentricity to expand upon or hide behind.