Duster. Back together and walking on the moon once more. This might not be the most heralded musical return of 2022 but it's a very welcome one, for me at least.
Duster are not a band that are likely to cheer you up on their return so much as make you look forward to 'stroking your chin again, like you did last summer.'
Making you feel good was never an essential part of their plan. For they are one of 'those' bands. The bands that the Nineties more than any other decade gave birth to.
'Those guys', and they were mostly guys. Slint, Codeine, Tortoise. The monochrome depressives. Americans mostly though Mogwai did their best to join in from these shores. Playing the kind of music that your girlfriend always tells you to take off almost as soon as you've put it on.
Duster certainly did their best to contribute to the general ennui and dread that flourished on the American Underground music scene during these years. Their masterpiece, Stratosphere from 1998, is considered one of the best 2,000 albums ever made by those who care about these things on the Best Ever Albums site. It is an excellent record that should be heard.
New album, Together is also really good. It may not ascend to the seminal status accorded to Stratosphere even though it sounds pretty much exactly like it.
Duster haven't abandoned their signature sound.Or even really advanced it in anyway. Ponderous, but also rather lovely slowcore trudge, gloomy, incoherent vocals. Nothing that could be described as joy as such. or even an enormous amount happening, but everything that does occur happening in a measured, artistic and rather poetic way. If you liked Stratosphere you'll probably like this. I did and do. But don't turn it up too loud. It's sure to annoy your neighbours.
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