Unsparing Sea: In the Diamond Caverns

Unsparing Sea
In the Diamond Caverns
Broke. Tusk. Collective

Grandiose sounds with DIY roots are found herein as Unsparing Sea, a five-member outfit from Cleveland, layers hypnotic drones and orchestral sounds with indie, Americana, and folk undertones on its latest offering, In the Diamond Caverns. “Sandpaper/Sadpaper” begins the release with a winding up of sorts, as a harp (Becky Zydiak) flows in and out and a cello (Tara Klein) etches itself into the woodwork. Singer-songwriter J.R. Bennett moans and whispers while this tension builds. After about two minutes, a loose banjo (Mike Marks) enters and guides the dramatic feedback and buzzing of guitars around the melody. As horns signal a fanfare, a saw (Sarah Leitten) whistles its discordant tones. A similar effect can also found be on “Sing Devil Sing” — albeit with some pitchy moments. The rest is chock full of depth with its vast instrumentation and cryptic lyrics. “Held in Light” has the same ingredients plus what sounds like a ghostly chorus of the undead.

RATING 6 / 10