With a keyboard buzz, echoed vocals, soft horn, and Azalia Snail's sweetly reverbed singing from what could be a distant cave, "Solar Riser" kicks off what could almost be a statement of purpose from Snail. Except of course that Snail's full-bodied approach to psychedelic pop inventiveness and mysteriousness has been part and parcel for her from the start; she's iconic at over two decades in of recording without being widely recognized for it still -- a real shame, since her Silber Records debut is another strong release from her. Generally following a pattern of full songs and short instrumental transitions and featuring a small group of backing players, Celestial Respect maintains a certain lost-in-space focus throughout. Some songs refer to stars, suns, planets, but the whole is suitable for the woozy, slow-burn atmosphere of the album, like a lazy cascade down a Milky Way of the imagination. "Space Heater" clicks with its drum machine and piles on the further layers of wooziness and "Savings Time" explores a weightless territory without beats (though definitely rhythm, careful and swaying). But "User System" upends the assumptions of the album beautifully, the music keeping the same general feeling but Snail's voice suddenly standing to the fore, a full-bodied anthem as much as a romantic ballad, and as lyrically spry and sharp as her best work in general. The occasional backing vocals from Kevin Litrow add further variety, as on "Burnt Cookies," where he takes a full section over the shuffling drums before an elegant and frazzled break.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo