Califone, Roomsound (CD)

By 2001, Califone had been stripped down to Ben and Tim as core members, with few hints that the band would grow back again into a stable quartet. The remarkable coherence of Roomsound reflects their tight musical bond from so many years of collaboration. While it has neither the remarkable abstract percussive sections of Quicksand/Cradlesnakes nor the mature songwriting voice of Funeral Singers, Roomsound has a distinctive power and subtle but very memorable melodies. It features the ultra-present sound that has become a distinctive feature of Califone's albums, which has lasted through multiple changes in recording environments, and impressive hand-folded packaging.