Offthesky shows how simplicity can pay off. Recorded in a cabin near Carter Lake, Colorado, it retains a great deal of its Western origins. The record is gorgeous, the sound so intimate you can grasp it. Each piece goes by at an extraordinarily slow speed. Yet that speed appears to be far too fleeting with the album’s only 43 minutes.
I instantly was reminded of the group “Pillowdiver” who employed a similar technique to his work. Like that artist, Offthesky employs a certain degree of electronic manipulation. However, Jason Corder’s approach feels lighter, gentler than that heavy release. For one, he uses acoustic string instruments as often as he can. That means you encounter a great deal of twanging, clean tones (such as the wonderful “Poison Prophets”).
Sometimes he eschews guitar altogether. On “Born of Shy Sap” I’m reminded of the quietest aspects of GYBE’s sound. It’s mournful, slow, and mysterious. Really this one may be one of my favorites on the whole album. This is the exception rather than the rule, but even with the guitar-based pieces they are treated with certain slowness, tones extended, and dragged far away. Far-away vocals only add to the album’s warm nature. Bands like Labradford come to mind as I listen to this slow, deliberate, tasteful album.
This is a great album. Clearly Jason spent large amount of time on getting each piece in the right mood. Every tiny nook of the sound is filled with genuine emotion, often of some unstated mournfulness. I’m impressed.