More info: www.heavywaterexperiments.com
With a self titled album, you might expect HWE to be a new band, but in fact the band existed in a former incarnation as Imogene. The LA-based band is fronted by singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, bassist, and producer David Melbye—an LA native whose past bands/projects include Ludivine. Fuzz Beloved, and Zanzibar. His creative/artistic partner Roberto Salguero, originally from El Salvidor, plays drums and percussion. Recent additions to the live ensemble are: Rebecca Black on keyboards/vocals and Rick Staggs on bass.
The music of opening track, "Goldenthroat", floats in and mesmerizes you. It is the sort of music that seems to wrap itself around and envelopes you . The sound is bass heavy and swirls along. So we are talking psychedelic rather than progressive rock. And yet, at times I can imagine their music being received as indie pop with tracks such as the more lightweight Oracles.
I'm not sure if individual songs mean that much in the context of this album as it tends to works best if considered as a whole. Each listen seems to yields a little element you hadn't heard on previous listens. The vast majority of times I listen to the album, I get immersed in the soundscape, but just occasionally it feels claustrophobic and I don't get beyond the first couple of tracks. But usually I'm on board for the full ride through its fuzzy bass-laden soundscape.
