David Pajo
is a perfect example of the spiderweb-like lineage present in Louisville's and Chicago's new
rock
scenes. A founding member of legendary Louisville noise-instrumentalists,
Slint
, and main contributor to
Tortoise
's last two albums,
Pajo
has quietly collaborated on some of the most affecting music of the decade. Under the moniker
Aerial M
,
has fashioned here seven beautiful instrumentals that reference but only slightly resemble his earlier work with
or
. Instead,
As Performed By..
., on which
plays all the instruments, is a study in breathtaking melodies and simple, effective songwriting.
"Dazed and Awake"
accurately describes the feel of the album's opener, enveloping one's head with bright guitar work and understated dynamics. The six-minute
"Aass"
leaves behind the bottom-end boom that is
's trademark, allowing the song to spread through warm and longing double-guitar repetition.
"Skrag Theme"
would approximate a
melody if it were played with the amplifiers on 3, while the loops and effects on
"Compassion for M"
recall both the experimentation of
and the textures of
Directions in Music
.
. is an unassumingly gorgeous debut worthy of the same level of praise awarded to
's past compositions. ~ Jonathan Cohen