Tom Carter - Long Time Underground

Tom Carter
Long Time Underground
2015


There are those certain albums, certain songs, that when you hear them it's a revelation. There are songs that span distances, and fill spaces like nothing else. More often than not these require some big instrumentation and a lot of production. Not this record, not Long Time Underground. Tom Carter uses a guitar throughout this hour and eighteen minute record, and that's it. There is obviously some looping and effects but other than that this is it. He takes the guitar a backbone for almost any song you listen to today and transforms it into an orchestra. It screams and wails, then is pulled back and understated. It builds and builds then sends you sliding down a rabbit hole of psychedelic rock. At times it is challenging and forces you to be uncomfortable while at other times it is as cozy as your favorite chair. Something is happening with this record and it is something very important. Tom Carter is exploring what music, and what the guitar can be if channeled in one direction with a single purpose. The freedom that this album embodies cannot be contained, it spreads over every inch that it touches and slowly begs for more.

As is the case with a great deal of experimental music at times things can seem to get a bit of the rails. Carter often gets so deep in a groove that you get lost only to realize you are still listening to the same track minutes later. It is always something beautiful even as it takes a darker bend but it is easy to get bored or space out while listening to this record. It is a real commitment to take on this album start to finish and really dig deep into it. If you do though you will be rewarded with some really incredible tones, and even better sense of what the guitar can do. Tom's gamble on something very organic and raw really pays off and we are given sounds that feel very connected to the ground under your feet almost like the album is meant to focus on the here are now rather than the what could be. High minded thoughts for high minded music. If you are willing to take the plunge and listen be prepared for something that you may not be able to explain, but you'll be kind of glad for that like holding a secret just for you.

8 out of 10