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Reviews

Talkdemonic, ‘Ruins’ (Glacial Pace)

A name like Talkdemonic suggests some sort of ?ominous incantation, but this electro-acoustic Portland duo’s fourth album — and first for Modest Mouse leader Isaac Brock’s ?label — delivers largely ?mellow, wordless mood music. When viola player Lisa Molinaro and electrician/drummer Kevin O’Connor lock their sounds together naturally, as on the gorgeous floater “Cascading,” they sound beautifully out of time. However, on the rare occasions when they try to live up to their badass-sounding name — the clattering first minute of “Violet” or the scratchy “Midnight Pass” — it sounds a little forced. But Ruins mostly sticks to compelling, pretty surfaces and leaves the demons in the background.