Deastro
Mind Altar EP
Ghostly International
When Moondagger was released in 2009, we saw a benchmark Randolph Chabot (aka Deastro) album in his progressive rise as indie pop phenom. Chabot’s live shows were electric and pulsed with the exuberance of a musician whose brain brimmed with so much musical energy that he had to release a new single or EP every few months just to be able to walk straight. And after his tours ended, after people lulled, playing their new favorite Deastro album while quietly walking solo on some industrial street, the musician produced this EP, Mind Altar. Although that’s not a complete statement because he also released Orange Summer Red Swimmer EP for free on his blog but don’t worry — those songs were remastered and are featured on this disc, too.
The first song and the EP’s title track is a tight composition of child-like bells, noise, and a whipping beat that can be a bit disorienting on the first listen. Typical of Deasto fashion, the EP is remiss of predictable structure but unlike Moondagger or Keeper’s, Mind Altar comes across as a musical sketchpad, with more surreal elements than previous works, and less attention paid to audience-friendly songs, which is why people may like it. Chabot seemingly orcestrated this album via automatism, a method surrealists implemented to channel subconscious thoughts or feelings, unrestricted by prohibition or judgement. He uses samples, loops, stabbing drums, and noise to materialize the space orchestra that’s in his head, which makes it a fun collection of songs to listen to in the dark.
This isn’t an ambitious group of songs. There are no killer singles (although “Mowgli The Linx” comes closest). This EP is part of his lesson book. Mind Altar may be more of a thrill to listen to in the future than it is today and one could argue that it was meant to be heard that way. A clue about the origin and meaning of his latest work is mentioned by Chabot in an interview by ClashMusic: “It was summer. I was making a ton of new friends, going to my friend Klair’s house on Mondays for this vegan brunch. Me and Adam, my good friend, would just drink 40′s in a kiddie pool in front of her house. We did weird shit all summer. My mind was a puddle of neon green ooze.”
Remember that Orange Summer Red Swimmer EP that was previously mentioned? The songs are included on this EP as bonus tracks and couldn’t sound any more different than if you had put an elephant next to a donkey and heard them bray at each other. These three tracks are the highlight of Mind Altar and definitely deserve an ear’s listen. Even if you downloaded these from Chabot’s blog, pick them up again because they aren’t quite the same.
Mind Altar a slight departure from his more pop work found on Moondagger, such as “Vermillion Plaza.” One could possibly presume the artist relinquished caution and uninhibitedly created new music to explore himself in. His lyrics, conveying a musician curious of his constantly changing surroundings, are still there but sonically, compositionaly, the music has changed. He reintroduces his voice on the album on a spread of ethereal reverb, mimicking last year’s critically favorite album by Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavillion. Once a listener’s head cocks in that direction, it’s clear that this is a good move for Deastro. As his sound continues to mature, lessons like these will bring about that truly great record he’s capable of writing.
Release Date June 22,
Track Listing
1. Mind Altar
2. Genesis Weapon
3. Pastor Kid Redux Edition
4. Mowgli The Lynx
5. The Concept Of Land Ownership
6. Divali
7. Get Frostied
8. World Of Shadow
9. Shield Whip (Bonus Track)
10. Seven Fell From The Firmament (Bonus Track)
11. Orange Swimmer (Bonus Track)
