Ransom Scenery - Ear to Ear (Self-Released)

Originating from Springfield, Illinois, Ransom Scenery is a power duo comprised of Drew Lowery and Chaepter Negro. Together they have created an acid-induced collection of psychedelic sounds on their new album Ear to Ear. It’s far more avant garde than most other bands today claiming the same things as this pair. Influenced by neopsychedelica and shoegaze, their lo-fi sound is based less on actual definable instruments and traditional melodies or rhythms than textures, emotions, and sensations. Songs like “Just Tour” feel more like atmospheric soundscapes with incidental music in the background only enhancing the senses.

The band delves into noise/drone territory on “Unconditional” and the intro of “Gasm of the Heart” hints at the weirdness of The Residents. There’s an occasional, rare glimpse at traditional pop structure on songs like “Holozoic,” but only in the loosest, most twisted sense of the word. The most compelling song here, however, is the eight minute epic, “All My.” Placed towards the end of the album, its gothic overtones make for one of the most chilling moments on the album, but it’s also the song with the clearest direction. In general, the audience for an album such as this may be small, but those who appreciate this type of music will find a lot to love with Ear to Ear.