Ailsa Craig - A Silent No

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5...according to our Business Lady on Thu 15 Oct, 2009.

Ailsa Craig is a new project from Matt Robson who you made have heard before either bobbing over a laptop in his main guise as Random Number or perhaps playing drums with the likes of Sierpinski or perhaps Hood. Robson also does a tidy line in producing records helping various outfits in the Leeds area (recent efforts include the The Manhattan Love Suicides and Downdime) to realize their ambitions on record. This new projects has Robson acting as chief songwriter and arranger with an augmented line-up featuring pals from the Leeds area including Manhattan Love Suicide's Caroline McChrystal and Sierpinski's Lee Hooper to name but a few. The music on debut release 'A Silent No' (you like what he's done there...) sits somewhere between his own work as Random Number and Hood. The recording breaches the divide between bedroom and big budget production and is perfectly ambitious. It would appear that a lot of time and effort has gone into this little beauty. 'Nine Times Table' plays with themes investigated by New Order yet restyled in the vein of Epic 45 and comes off sounding like a potential hit. This is followed by the equally as compelling 'Plans You Made' who's beautiful vocal is supplemented with some cool Random Number style cut up beats, well advanced. Elsewhere you can enjoy instrumental post-folk atmospherics playfully manipulated and twisted into new and exciting forms. This is a totally interesting release that is more than deserved of further investigation. It's gonna take a couple more listens for it all to sink in but it's obvious 'A Silent No' is littered with pop magic and mutant folktronic gems. Please take the time to check it out. For fans of Epic 45, New Order, Mice Parade, Field Mice, Mum as well as all the other stuff Mr. Robson has dabbled with in the past. Out now on Squirrel Records.

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Ailsa Craig is the new project of Matt Robson , whose record of achievement in the DIY/underground scene has been prolific to say the least. Squirrel Records aficionados will be familiar with Robson's work through his recording and production duties on albums for The Manhattan Love Suicides and Downdime , others will be aware of his own recorded output under the Random Number moniker , an outlet for glistening yet damaged electronica released through labels as diverse as Mogwai's Rock Action , Highpoint Lowlife and the boutique Japanese label , Moamoo. Robson has also been a key member of bands such as Sierpinski (Jonathan Whiskey Records) Coping Saw (classic 90's riot grrrl) and post hardcore/mathrock outfit , Rauschen , not to mention his cameo roles on drums for the likes of Hood (Domino Records) and The Diamond Sea. Featuring a core of players centred around Robson's writing, and the lyrical and vocal skills of The Manhattan Love Suicides' Caroline McChrystal and ex-Sierpinski bassist Lee Hooper, the outfit is further augmented by a vast range of guest players such as Paul Elam (The Declining Winter, Fieldhead, Glissando) Gavin Montgomery (Cissy) Andrew Stavely (The Inecto School) and Darren Lockwood (The Manhattan Love Suicides) to name but a few. Drawing on influences as diverse as The Field Mice , Autechre , Hood , Mum and Epic 45 , Ailsa Craig weaves a rich tapestry intertwining elements of indie pop , electronica and post rock. "Nine Times Table" opens the album , a forthright slice of indie electronic crossover setting the scene for the album , melding live and programmed rhythms with moody synth and guitar hooks and Caroline McChrystal's inimitable , understated yet captivating vocal style , calling to mind the more poppy moments from the Morr Music roster or later period Hood.

Astute Squirrel Records followers will spot the inclusion of "Finding The End Of The Line" , a Random Number penned collaboration with Caroline McChrystal and Darren Lockwood , originally featured on The Manhattan Love Suicides' "Burnt Out Landscapes" compilation CD. The track takes a wronged syncopated beat , inspired by the wonkier moments of R&B rhythm programming and marries it with Darren Lockwood's spikey guitar playing which culminates in a wall of My Bloody Valentine inspired noise. Other highlights include the atmospheric "Echo Through" where Caroline McChrystal weaves a dark tale of intrigue over vistas of sparse guitar and lonely atmospherics. "A Silent No" is a solo piano and DSP interlude paying homage to modern musical pioneers such as Fennesz and Max Richter , whilst "End It (Part One)" shifts the focus back into the framework of pop, albeit with a moody slant.

Tracklisting : 1. Nine Times Table 2. Plans You Made 3. Don't Hijack The Scene 4. If It's Not Lost 5. Finding The End Of The Line 6. Only Anger 7. A Different Path 8. End It (Part One) 9. A Silent No 10. Wonder Crunching 11. Echo Through 12. End It(2)

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