Tape - Revelationes (2011)

The Swedish trio Tape create simple, yet beautiful, music. Their style is very melodic and the recordings are clean, with very few effects in the mix. Ambient music can sound like you are having a very bad experience when not thought about carefully. It is rare when a band creates such simple music that they can get it to sound monstrous without using all of the add-ons. Brothers Andreas and Johan Berthling and Tomas Hallonsten have a very gentle approach to making clear and relaxing sounds.

Upon first listen, I hear elements of Tortoise (a jazzy, post-rock feel). Tape's new album, Revelationes, is clear and concise music. There are no suprises on this album, nor are there big crescendos like many post-rock albums. The song 'Dust and Light' brings to mind Slint's masterpiece 'Spiderland'. The interesting thing is that even without these epic moments, I never get bored with the album. Simple guitar, jazz drumming, vibraphones, and theramin set the mood for the record, and this is really all that is needed. Revelationes never drags, always remains focused, and what a beautiful album it is to enjoy. Check out the title track 'Revelationes' off of Tape's newest offering 'Revelationes':