A Harvest of Ice
M. Martin
A Harvest of Ice is a full length album kicking out a spectrum of psychedelic-fuzz-folk-drone-rock. M. Martin exhibits a propensity toward songwriting, psychedelic noise, and atmospheric soundscapes; these elements become separated, blended, and layered throughout the album giving the listener different sounds to enjoy.
“Paradise Green” is perhaps, the strongest song on the album; it is lush and textured in the vein of early Radiohead. Layers of instruments interlock to create a thick sound with melodic vocals. It’s a perfect example of Martin’s indie rock leanings and drive toward spacious arrangements. “Catacomb Song” is a highlight whose character is fuzzed out, with echoing lead lines and moody vocals. It’s dystopian music with futuristic leanings that would be at home in the Euro-psych underground with fuzz layered on fuzz for a dark psychedelic sound.
The listener is taken on a journey from dark-psych to indie-folk-drone. M. Martin’s voice is present throughout with clear intent exploring indie melodies and phrasing to disinterested vocals with punk attitude. The later half of the album has a psychedelic folk sound fusing M. Martin’s propensity toward singer song-writing, atmospheric soundscapes and clean 12 string guitars as heard in “Paradise Green” and “Toward Zero”. Hushed subtle moments of beauty and molded into thick compositions. “Whirlpool” and ”Against My Ruins” bookend the album with lush textures and delicate instrumental passages.
A Harvest of Ice by M. Martin was released on Rare Plant in a limited edition cassette. The songs were recorded January through May 2014 with producer Kyle Motor. Recorded on reel-to-reel 8 track recorder. M. Martin wrote all the songs and performed the vocals, guitars, bass, keyboards and effects. Kyle Motor is on drums, keyboards and other instruments. M. Martin is in Coordinated Suicides out of Madison Wisconsin. This solo release reveals a much lighter side of this songwriter musician compared to the heavy onslaught found in Coordinated Suicide.
A Harvest of Ice steers the listener through various styles of music from dark-psych to ambient instrumentals with songs waxing and waning between these two inspirational drives. The bulk of the album is exploring indie pop song structures through creative arrangements and vocal melodies.
A Harvest of Ice
By: M. Martin
- Against My Ruins
- Catacomb Song
- Ruby Red
- Liminal
- Blue Ice
- Snake
- Toward Zero
- Paradise Green
- Outer Space
- Watch You Fall
- Whirlpool (Charydbis)
Article By: Temple Rose
Thank you so much and yes we do all need psychedelic rock acid folk music in 2021 we need more hippies in our world. Peace n love brother.
Very informative!!! Thanks my friend, can’t wait wait until the next one!!! Much love from dmtworld.net!!!