Ivar Grydeland — Stop Freeze Wait Eat

Stop Freeze Wait Eat is the second solo album from respected Norwegian guitarist, improviser, and composer Ivar Grydeland- who is most know for his work with genre mixing  three piece Huntsville. The album is an often skeletal, but always compelling ride that blends together elements of lo-fi & moody guitar craft, abstract & sparse electronica, & haunting improv.

The album consists of seven tracks, and these have  running times of between two & twelve minutes, though most of the tracks are on the shorter side. For the tracks Grydeland utilizes a mix of the following: six & twelve string electric & acoustic guitars, banjo, electronics, drum scope, pocket piano, and vintage  analogue drum machine Roland Rhythm 77.

Each of the tracks here are mainly sparse & stripped-back affairs with the guitar/ banjo work moving between tolling & eerier minimalism, more melodic & simple dramatic, and coldly moody. Grydeland edger’s his guitar craft with subtle, often spiderweb like yet rewarding layers of clicking & popping electronics, faint drone currents, and angular/ stripped percussive pluses. 

Yet for all the skeletal & sparse feeling to the tracks here, Grydeland enriches each with its own purpose, mood, and subtle yet distinctive sonic details. Clearly he has spent a long time lovely crafting each track, so each is a satisfying mix of creativity, memorability, and atmosphere.

All told this is an accomplished & worthy solo album, which shows Grydeland's ability to compose work which is edgy, yet purposeful, & memorable.