October 18, 2011
By Dave Miller
Horsebladder, which to me is one crazy name for an artist, is the moniker for a lady by the name of Elaine. As odd as that moniker is, the sounds though a little different aren’t really too weird. It’s really more like a handful of fantastical whimsy that gets blown in your face. The first track, “Losers,” sounds like some kind of capricious zoo that mystically prances through the line of sight of your mind’s eye. Then the second track, “Years and Years,” continues with a super ethereal dreamlike vibe with soft female vocals, drips that actually sound like some kind of quirky chimes, and other melody that sounds like a glass harmonica or something. The third is “Who Doesn’t Lie” and is an a cappella sing-songy cruise through that same voice only in a soothing oceanic way. Then the other side has the other half of this six track tape. The fourth, “Surprise Disease,” continues with more singing, which I’m finding permeates most of her tracks. It has subtle drones that I think consist of organ instrumentation, but perhaps just a keyboard. Either way, an awesome meditative repetition to it. The seventh track is “I’m So Big,” and continues in the vein of its predecessor, only with more of a ghostly vibe. It has some crazy bell/rattle that gives it a nautical edge, like a dark night on the water with swarming mermaids beckoning to the boat. The last, “Go Away,” has a pretty cool soft synth texture to it with a few layers that are a gentle salve to the soul. All I can say is that this is a solid release that is unlike anything I expected. My only complaint is its brevity. A nice listen before bed. It’s better than sleeping pills or alcohol to put you in the right state. Dream away thanks to Elaine and her fairy-like music to soothe any savage beast—even this guy.