colorlist

gorczynski vs. rumback
Colorlist's new album Photographs dances the knife edge between ambient and avant-garde, and manages it with such grace and beauty that it puts other similar acts to shame. Photographs is an album that dares to strive towards something lesser artists write off as unattainable: honest beauty, redolent humanity. It's an album that works well as background music, but that rewards attentive listening. Check it out, or you'll be missing one of the best releases this year.
~ Joe Hemmerling, Suburban Horror
“This one whirls very pleasantly into your room. A true surprise. We are talking here of a quartet from Chicago, the nucleus of this group is made up by Charles Rumback (drums, marimba, guitars) and Charles Gorzcynski (saxophones, harmonium, synth) accompanied by Brian Bullard and Matthew Gagnon, and several other guests playing cellos, guitars, bass clarinet, etc. This music clearly relates to the world of Hugh Hopper, Robert Wyatt, Terry Riley, etc. In a postrock way they explore in their sonic excursions a music that shows many faces: ambient, jazz, rock. This is very intuitive and meditative music. Modest but very self-consciouss and effective. The pieces have well-balanced arrangements and they are beautifully colored. Electronics and the other instruments are interwoven organically. This album grows after each listening. Very well done.”
~ Vital Weekly 5/08
“The record has quietly pulled me in, revealing new details with every listen.”
~ Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader 2/08
“Unsuspecting yet exquisitely crafted electronics make Colorlist's album mood music that you can't ignore. It's the perfect genre-defying rainy day album that is as cohesive as it is undefinable”
~ Now Like Photographs 3/08
"...a barrage of other electronic hums and sputters give increasing texture to the otherwise monochromatic composition. The songs eventually become throbbing orbs of harmonic tones hovering around light drum patterns and creaking electronics... pure aural ecstasy”
~ Michael Ardaiolo, Audiversity 1/08