SWAPS [PRIVATE STASH]

Spouting an unstable breed of homemade experimentalism, SWAPS features four of the great modern experimental-indie performers. Featuring Steve Touchton of XBXRX, Ches Smith of Secret Chiefs 3 and John Dieterich and Ed Rodriguez of Deerhoof, SWAPS is a dark, asymmetrical fever-dream of vibraphones and feedback. The album surges and spins in every direction, while remaining hypnotically engaging throughout. "Pair Bonds", the A-Side of the record, appropriates a term from biology as its title, referencing the strong affinity that develops in some species between mating partners. "Aether Defects", the B-Side of the record, references an archaic theory of gravity in which a substance called 'the aether' was posited as a transmission medium for particles of light.  Just as SWAPS evokes recombinance, the song titles evoke a kind of laboratory ambience apropos to their musical referents. If this album were science, it would be 'pure research.' The erratic rhythms, atonality and structure of these pieces will please fans of far left-field experiments and truly adventurous works of art. SWAPS is a one-time, limited edition release of just 438 hand-numbered 10" records on mint green vinyl.