Given their mutual Kentucky roots and statuses as guitar heroes for a postpunk generation, it’s no surprise that Rick Rizzo (leader of Eleventh Dream Day) and Tara Key (majordomo of Antietam) have a friendly on-and-off-again collaboration. Double Star is the second record under the duo’s purview to explore textures and moods not usually found on their more rocking primary projects. Weaving their six-strings around each other like reunited lovers, Rizzo and Key essay atmospheric soundscapes (“Forgiven,” “Loop 2”), Yo La Tengo-like psychedelic mantras (“Interruptive Organ,” “Insanity Stomp”), John Fahey-esque fingerpicking (“Rizzo Starts”), wordless folk rock (“Jagged Naught”), soothing placidity “(Yes I Want”), faux soundtrack music (“Descending Comment”) and more. There’s not much here that would wake the neighbors, but both pickers do plenty of that in their main bands if that’s what you’re looking for. Double Star is the sound of two old buddies expressing a different, equally valid side of their extraordinary talents.
