Above The Clouds - Cognitive Dissonance

For the past few days, I've been racked with the kind of strength-sapping stomach virus that makes remembering my own name a chore, but I've had to punch-drunkenly slug away at my job - the one that pays the bills I wish writing this kind of thing would. To aid in that task, I've needed musical assistance, a one album I've been through a few times is Cognitive Dissonance by Above The Clouds, which is the moniker of Ottawa(?) multi-instrumentalist James Hancock.

I became aware of Hancock after reviewing the latest album from Canadian indie hip-hop outfit Kwiz Massturrz, Talkies Ruined My Life In The Pictures. I liked that album pretty much right away, and the lush, mature production on the album was a big reason why. So when Graham from KM mentioned that James had an album of his solo material, I was keen to check it out. My keen-ness was rewarded, as Cognitive Dissonance is a excellent "organic-electronica": a blend of live instrumentation and carefully selected loops, sprinkled with the occasional obscure sample.

It's good stuff, and a perfect companion for my current condition as it's engaging enough to take my focus off of how crappy I currently feel, but it doesn't overpower my weakened synapses. I could toil in the mechanical dreamworld created on The Rise and Fall of Thinking Machines all day - dubby percussion mixed moody synth waves makes a good mix in my humble. And there are plenty of enjoyable contrasts to be found on this EP's seven songs, as the guitar and handclaps groove of Acedia doesn't really match anything else, but it still fits in.

But enough of my belly-aching (Hi-O), James still has this album available as a free download on his site, so go ahead and sample it for yourself.

MP3:: Above The Clouds - Secret Identity Theft
GET IT::www.abovethecloudsmusic.com

Labels: Above The Clouds, electronica, Instrumental, ottawa