Seeing And Doing EP
Benbecula, 2005
rating: 5/5
reviewer: filmore mescalito holmes


I have something of a special relationship to Christ., the output of one Liquid Chris H. Last August, my father died in my living room (the irony of which is not lost on me). I took it pretty hard as it was completely unexpected, him being only 53 with no previous heart condition. I didn't do much for a few days, but in times of crisis, the two things I consistently turn to are humor and music. It was too soon for the former, so it had to be music. I hadn't really listened to Christ.'s first major release Metamorphic Reproduction Miracle at that point, but I wanted something somber and without vocals, and I knew that much about it. Mournful yet not depressive, dense but not busy, Miracle was a miracle. It fit the mood perfectly and gave me some much needed relaxation.

Almost two years after that debut LP came out, Seeing And Doing's four new originals hint at the continuing evolution of his sound having toured steadily, playing various festival showcases, and even treating John Peel to an encore performance. While the same essential ambiance remains, these new tracks have more layers. They're richer, fuller, and somewhat more abstract. EP highlight "Marsh Of Epidemics," which receives a remix here at the hands of Anticon's Alias, sees noise upon noise, sample upon sample, and synth upon synth layered steadily to a shattering crescendo by minute five, while a too slow for stumbling beat works underneath like a hip-hop loop missing a few sections. If you like ambient at all, this is a must hear. Dig the Reefer Madness sample that kicks off "Magic Piano," too. Look for a full-length later this year.

1. Fragile X
2. Marsh Of Epidemics
3. Magic Piano
4. Alter Boy
5. Marsh Of Epidemics (Alias Remix)