Cassette
Clouds Come Rain, a new path forged forward for Western Australia's David West. West has spent time based in SF, Melbourne and other locales before nestling back into his homelands. During West's continental traversals, output across his various projects has maintained a feverish pitch. So it's not surprising hearing him chart new territory, moving into an instrumental, experimental liminality, away from the amp stacks.
Primarily known as a guitarist and songwriter in other projects including Rat Columns, Rank/Xerox, Lace Curtain and a Typical System era stint in Total Control, it is exciting to hear West taking the craftsmanship honed in these projects and to slow down and strip away somewhat. CCR betrays a greater affinity with West's duo with Bob Jones, Scythe, who released a great 2024 LP on A Colourful Storm. ACS also titled one of their recent NTS show's around CCR's Sick Love Incantation II [link below] .
CCR greets the listener with beautiful, piano-based scene setting before an uneasy and atmospheric, collage offers a sign of later abrasions to come. But, for the most part, this is a beautifully executed and largely serene affair. I'm hesitant to say it, but moments of Clouds Come Rain remind me of what may be my favourite liminal ambient LP; The Pearl, by Eno, Budd and Lanois. There is something in CCR's drift and micro-textures that evokes the same difficult beauty, albeit with occasional reminders of modern, digital rupture.
