Posted on 05/15/2008
Nobody's Blank Blue: Western Water Music Vol. II is a concept album involving the west coast’s apocalyptic fall into the ocean and the human survivors' adaptation to breathing and living underwater. Shades of Drexciyan mythology aside, it is also an electronic and indie-rock hybrid, one heavy on atmosphere and impressionistic vocals courtesy of collaborator Niki Randa. Downtempo beats are mixed with processed guitars, sitars, and the occasional string or reed flourish to make for a fairly uniform collection of tracks that do suggest a dreamy, watery theme even if the overall effect is not as powerful as might have been intended.

Unfortunately, the moments that grab your attention or that present a more resonant emotional aspect are too few and far between. There is a distinct sound at the album’s center, but this is not exploited to its full potential. The result is that not every song feels equally inspired. Niki Randa sings slowly enunciated lyrics that do not possess much in the way of melody; it suit the album’s style, but her limited vocal capacity sometimes seems to compensate with affectation. It's engaging for a little while and on certain tracks, but over the course of 47 minutes the relatively unchanged dynamic wears thin.

Highlights include the track "Sonic What?!," which captures much of the potential of the album, a fine demonstration of the musical concept fully realized. Sounding a little like St. Etienne's Sarah Cracknell, Randa sings: "For a moment, there is complete weightlessness. A second feels like millions of years." It's strong stuff in this context, wherein waves of white noise, swirling backwards guitars, and a jaw harp help to convey a sense of drowning. Unfortunately, the entirety of the project does not come together quite as well, and so must be considered a mixed bag. The quality of Nobody’s productions may find an audience of admirers, regardless.

- Justin Deremo