talkingmakesnosense: The Winter Drones

Dominic Dixon is no stranger to the Minerals Series. Since Scotland’s favorite indie label Benbecula premiered the series in 2005, Dixon’s post-shoegaze band Genaro (for whom he plays the drums) and his own ambient alter ego, talkingmakesnosense, have both issued their debut albums in the monthly subscription mail-out. Just when you thought it was impossible, Dom’s sophomore solo full-length is actually more chilled than its 2006 predecessor Surroundings. Yes, the title of The Winter Drones is not an ironic joke. This CD has all the analog static, electronic, hum, and disconnected acoustic guitar you could ever fall asleep to, with wave after wave of mildly psychedelic sounds served up ice cold. It sounds nice and all, but even 20 seconds worth of a beat here and there would so wonders for capturing my attention (a fact well demonstrated by the blissful chill room wonder “Volumes in G” from Surroundings). Since he’s a drummer, you would think he’d be a little more accommodating in that regard. As is, this is purely background music.