Tongue Depressor: “Hymns of Mud”

An 18:50 banger. Buckle in. Tongue Depressor is a duo composed of Henry Birdsey and Zach Rowden. On the LP Bones of Time, the former is responsible for pedal steel, bagpipes, harmonium, and cello, while the latter handles the double bass and tape loops. Our highlighted track “Hymns of Mud” foregrounds the tape textures, choking the velocity of the reel at various pinch points along the journey. The main forward thrust comes in and through a steady drone, which enjoys halting progress, and is remapped onto itself through serial looping. The occasional percussive sally feels like a Martian’s interpretation of what standard rhythmic accompaniment sounds like on planet Earth.

Stream, share, buy to your heart’s content.

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