“Here”, the opening track of Voyager One’s afterhours in the afterlife, lays down dark and sultry foundations for gentle, echoing vocals and swirling effects to float above.  Influences are always present (I was grateful to discover that this album cures my Bowery Electric longing) but afterhours in the afterlife is refreshingly non-derivative.  Skilled musicianship and adept production have sired an expansive album that envelops you, yet despite multiple layers it retains an openness akin to Peter Gabriel’s Up.  

Uplifting groovy tracks like “The Future is Obsolete” and “Ocean Grey” made me feel cool driving my beige Buick Century (which is nearly impossible).  The buoyant vocals and 60’s guitar sounds repel the typical Seattle day; the oppressive clouds wrap around but the misting cools your skin while you chase down those elusive sun breaks.  

Despite the perpetuation of descriptor “psychedelic” about VO, this album’s electronic programming, sexy bass and guitar work, and overall variety have a driving relentlessness that’s uncharacteristic of passive space-out music. The snappy percussion throughout worked for the poppier songs as well as the Zen-inducers.  It’s never too shoegaze to lull me to boredom and is substantial enough that the album’s relaxed 42 minutes are quite satisfying.

A perfect local-favorites show would be with Fading Collection and Head Like a Kite.  Can someone hook that up for me?

Jessica Drenkel - Sarathan Records