Ethan Rose — Oaks

I rather enjoyed the 2006 debut album  Ceiling Songs by warming drone maker Ethan Rose; So I was rather looking forward to hearing this  his third album. And I have to say Oaks certainly doesn’t disappoint with Rose once more managing to sooth and comfort ones mind and spirit with melodic, often nostalgic and warming drone craft.

The eight tracks here are made purely with the sound source of an 1926 Wurlitzer Theatre organ which Rose gently manipulates and edits with electronics and computers- but makes sure that at all times he keeps the toasty, comfy, analogue and rich sound tone of the organ in place. The albums title comes from Oaks Skating Park in Oregon were the Wurlitzer now resides, with the instrument spending its earlier life accompanying silent films.

Not only did Rose use the organ tones he also helped repair it to its present glory, which is a nice footnote to the album and it’s concept. Each of the eight tracks here dwell in slow moving harmonic tone unfolds and cosy organ riff’s simmers, with each wisking one back into a nostalgic and eternal hopeful time. With Rose ever so often just nudging the tracks edger’s and sides with modern tone simmer and drift- but never making it sound too modern or cold. As a whole the tracks brought to mind a mixture of the more hopeful the organ tone like tracks from Stars of The Lids- Tired sounds of…  meets slower Boards of Canada like retro drift, but of course with Rose putting his own distinctive stamp on the proceedings.

All in all a very satisfying, warming and melodic drone /ambient record from Mr Rose; which seemingly invites you back again and again to sit and snuggle up to it’s lush, slowly bobbing and warming tone unfold.