Last year’s reissue of desert-drone epic Unknown Spin, seems to have spurred Texan psychedelicists Charalambides into a frenzy of activity. Joy Shapes, their first studio album in years, sees their slo-mo improvisations spiral off into Patty Waters-ish wails, pedal-steel ululations and surprisingly abrasive guitar. After such a demanding, listen, a solo album by the band’s guitarist, Tom Carter, is like avant-garde comfort food. Brilliant, too: Carter is no less unfettered on Monument, but his lap-steel extemporisations aren’t as jarring.
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