Sometimes you have to cut some of your own flesh away to make things better. Debridement,the word that serves as the title for Nathan Amundson's new album asRivulets, is defined as "the surgical removal of lacerated,devitalized, or contaminated tissue." Since Amundson is the onlypermanent member of Rivulets, he must be cutting away another piece ofhimself to give us this new record, shedding his skin as it were, asthere's no one else to sacrifice. With more sparse arrangements than onthe debut full-length, Amundson concocts some chilling work thatconstantly had me checking under the bed for monsters. I needn't havelooked any further than my speakers. Each song has its own spirits, itsown ghosts or creatures, that Amundson breathes to life with his shydelivery and somber tones. As before, the album is recorded and mixedby Alan Sparhawk, who also makes appearances on a few songs. Also inthe studio was Jessica Bailiff, whose voice breathes pure ice into thesongs she caresses. Like last year's Alcohol EPs, the album hasa bit of a theme going for it with the release of all things evil anddark, or just leaving it all behind. "An Evil" is just Amundson acapella, but that's all it really needs to penetrate your psyche;"Cutter" leaves nothing to the imagination with its vocal refrain of "Ibrought the blade to my skin;" "Bridges" could be about finding commonground, but it feels like finally building the device that aids in yourescape; and "Conversation With a Half-empty Bottle" has an obviousimplications all its own, as a person comes to terms with their onlyfriend, and the one that they won't let destroy them. There's little tono percussion to be found on the entire record, which is part of whatmakes it so compelling. The snare on "Shakes" is spooky not only forthe way it's played but for its mere appearance. By the time I heard"Get Out Alive," I was glad made it out, and I hoped the singer did,too. Amundson continues to open his own scars for all to see, and itgets better each time. I just hope it doesn't damage him too much todredge it all up.Read More
