Lightning Dust – Infinite Light

On the sophomore effort of Black Mountain's Amber Webber and Joshua Wells (collectively Lightning Dust), haunting vocals are placed in contrast to a musical accompaniment that manages to offer the hope of a light at the end of the tunnel. The mixture creates a sound that echoes the feelings of wandering through a dream world, caught in between the battle to drift endlessly along or break free and wake up.

The album has a retro sound, with the scratchy noises that are reminiscent of vital recordings, and vocals that sound as if they were made in a vacuum. On the song "Wondering What Everyone Knows," the lingering vocals mixed with soft guitar lines and syncopated drum beats make for a jarring experience that lends itself to closing one’s eyes and losing themselves listening.

Sometimes, the feeling of drifting creates songs that blend together and are more like long-form works, and less of individual songs. On the final track "Take It Home," the vocals once again pull you in with their poignant sound and sad musical background. Once the album finishes the dream is over, and you are left wondering if you want to fall back to sleep if only to re-discover the sound once more.

Label: Jagjaguwar
Release Date: 08/04/09

-Jenna Browning