Francis Plagne - Rural Objects

Originally issued on cassette via great Melbourne label Hobbies Galore (which i'm kicking myself for missing), the surrealist pastoralism of Francis Plagne's latest now finds its way to vinyl courtesy of Horn of Plenty, a still relatively young imprint with an impeccable track record. The label copy points to Woo and Durutti Column, which is right on the money - Plagne runs through plainative guitar figures with the lonely grace of prime Vini Reilly, and is equally adept with bucolic electronica, the two styles combining to conjure its own upside down psychedelic reverie. It's often a very pretty record, and Plagne has a very lucid way of playing, yet it's the spaces in between (as is so often the way) where he explores various electronic textures with the same primitive zeal as early DIY cassette culture mavens John Bender, Rich La Bonte, Solid Space et al that really resonate for me. There's no singing here - Rural Objects expresses its beauty in more impressionistic and, ultimately, edifying ways. Highly recommended. Edition of 250.