It’s always a good day when Chris Forsyth releases a new album. Over the past several years, he’s been one of the most reliable artists out there, delivering razor sharp guitar-centric LPs that bring together all the right elements into an always pleasing whole. All Time Present, his latest, is no exception. A double album that sprawls and stretches out without once feeling overstuffed, it may well be Forsyth’s most accessible work thus far — the soaring, concise opener “Tomorrow May As Well Be Today” deserves to be a radio hit. “Dream Song” is another highlight, with Rosali’s haunting vocals drifting in like a mist over a brooding jam. Best of all is the closer “Techno Top,” which grooves and moves ecstatically like Remain In Light-era Talking Heads for nearly 20 minutes. It’s a powerful showcase for the current iteration of Forsyth’s band: bassist Peter Kerlin, drummer Ryan Jewell and keyboardist Shawn Edward Hansen. Amazing stuff — suffice to say, you need All Time Present.
A totally sweet double bill via Kris, the Philadelphia Taper. Chris Forsyth has just opened up a new venue, and if this show is anything to go by, Jerry’s On Front is the place to be in the City of Brotherly Love. The Bachman set is just about perfect (with a drone assist from sister Sarah) and the Desertion Motel Band jam sesh sees Forsyth and Nick Millevoi weaving a heady web of guitar magic. You know what I mean. Have you checked out Nick’s latest yet? It rules. By the bye, there are rumors flying about a fresh Bachman LP on Three Lobed! Always exciting.
Last November’s election brought a lot of people down, and
subsequent events have done nothing to quell the dismay. Chris Forsyth was
amongst those who felt a disturbance in the force, and the music on this record
reflects what he sensed. His earlier Solar Motel Band recordings have expressed
the explosive ecstasy of a twin guitarists urging each other higher and higher,
as though they were in a contest to see whose wings would melt first in the
rising heat. The last record, The Rarity
of Experience, augmented incendiary chemistry with the rigor of fairly
elaborate recording strategies.
Snag a new SMB shirt w Dreaming In The Non Dream rear sleeve artwork. Metallic silver ink hand screened on black 100% cotton Gildans by our man @goodpennyprinting right here in Philly. Link in profile, naturally (at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
@thedreamsyndicateband + Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band tonight at @worldcafelive Come for the guitars. Stay for Dennis Duck. New jams guaranteed. SMB 8pm, DS 9pm (at World Cafe Live)
