Christian McShane and Aaron Molina make music from instruments that they don’t know how to use (this is a deliberate move, not a criticism of their playing technique!). On this fourth album by the duo, they are joined by a few guests to jam out a few improvisations. The music they create ranges varies in quality but there are some choice nuggets dotted throughout the disc.
Silber
The pieces on I Have Nothing are all quite short. In a few cases I could have done with some more time for the piece to develop but for the most part the lengths are spot on. “Cymbol” is the perfect length; it gradually develops from some abstract scratching noises to a slow rhythm and melody. It hits its high point and peters out at the right time. In general I find it’s hard to get such minimalist arrangements like this to work when they’re under five minutes but If Thousands manage to do it well. The first four or five tracks are wonderful vignettes, capturing strange moods and atmospheres beautifully.
Unfortunately, after starting strong the album loses its steam about half-way in and doesn’t recover. “Walking Otis” marks the start of the decline; it is a dull piece that goes nowhere (almost literally as the field recording used sounds like someone walking in circles). The rest of the disc follows this piece’s lead and ambles about doing nothing. There is the odd track of interest like “Children with Horns” and “Alpha” (and “Alpha” only regurgitates what they were doing earlier on “Cymbol” albeit better). There are a couple of pieces that are OK but don’t fit at all with the rest of the material such as the banjo-led “Stella and Me” which seems like it’s thrown on at the end of the album.
It’s a shame that some great tracks are hidden among so many average pieces. This album could have been reduced down to a fantastic EP but as it is, I’m disappointed. McShane and Molina should have spent more time on I Have Nothing, the two days of improvisation that made up the recording sessions obviously weren’t enough. With more work and a better track selection this could have been a lot better.
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