Barnacled

Although Lawrence from Hi Red Center turned me on to Providence, RI's Barnacled about three months ago, I've had their record sitting idly on my hard drive ever since. This morning I had the sudden urge to check out the record ol' Lolo sent me (their unreleased 2nd full length, Hints, Notes, and Touches) and boy, was I kicking myself for not checking out this band sooner!

Featuring Alec K. Redfearn as well as members of V Majestic, Octopandoganal Duo, and Nicotina and The Flower Gang, Barnacled specialize in a kind of deranged chamber music informed by avant jazz, Eastern European folk melodies, spastic tempos, and shards of molten noise; or as their bio states, something "between the jazz noir of the Lounge Lizards and the punk deconstructionism of the Flying Lizards."

You might find parallels between Barnacled and Zs, Tim Berne's Bloodcount, or even the Degenerate Art Ensemble, whom I recently covered. But whereas bands like Zs and the D.A.E. are generally tighter than Catholic schoolgirls on the sabbath, Barnacled aren't afraid to let loose and kick out some inspired chaos.

Barnacled have kept a relatively low profile over the years, especially since their members are involved with so many different projects. Although the band's road experience consists mostly of local shows (and one reportedly disastrous tour) the group's been relatively prolific, releasing a slew of fantastic records on local Providence label Corleone, as well as Allentown, PA imprint White Denim (also home to records by Pissed Jeans, Pearls and Brass, and Nice Nice, among others).

At any rate, check out the tracks below for examples of some damn fine, inspired chaos!

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Mp3s:

Crisply Ambiguous
Cloud Pump
Garbage and (Garbage and Fire)