Dark Matter - s/t

Long slept-on LP from short-lived NZ outfit Dark Matter, most notable for being led by former Victor Dimisich Band/Terminals singer, Stephen Cogle. Rounded out by a packed cast of scene veterans, including John Christoffels, John Billows, Joanne Billesdon, Nicole Moffat and Michael Daly, this self-titled LP was their only offering, a pristine lightning-in-a-bottle capturing of post-Flying Nun dark-hued indie rock. The kind of thing that this part of the world does best, spinning its cues from West Coast psych and VU chug into something that feels both secret and epic. Cogle's voice contains a rare gravitas, feeling the darkness, singing its song, finding commune in the experience. If you've spent any time with his other bands, you'll instantly feel the same pull here. What happens behind him is equally compelling, the classic rock band set up augmented by swells of cello and violin that drive home the urge and desperation. Nothing, really, but itself, though fans of Builders, Roy Montgomery, The Scientists, The Apartments would be well advised to pause a minute to take it in. Siltbreeze, eh? The deepest well.