Cyanotype – Versus The World

Cyanotype
Versus The World

The Shmat can’t quite decide if Cyanotype reminds him more of the Swirlies or of My Bloody Valentine or Yo La Tengo. Or all three mixed together in a blender-o-matic. Cyanotype is actually a pen name for Isaac Bear (which in itself sounds almost like a pen name).

Bear’s singing is somewhat monotonic, but that really seems to fit the music. His voice is at times similar to Lou Reed. The Shmat is not sure if that is a compliment, but he thinks it should be.

In any case, “Versus The World” swirls around with fantastic reversed distortion and that signature MBV bass-less mid range. Bear’s guitars growl like his namesake.

“Small Town Syndrome” features distorted guitar among tubby Casio beats. Shmat liked Isaac’s slight drawl and deadpan lyrics which remind him of the Beatnik Filmstars or maybe The Fall. These songs are surprisingly well formed but have a pleasant lo-fi sound that the Shmat thought worked well.

Sample tracks from Cyanotype
Versus The World – The Golden Wreck Tangle CD
Small Town Syndrome – The Golden Wreck Tangle CD

by Shmat