Monday, February 13, 2012
Rock Review: Victor Villarreal's 'Invisible Cinema'
Posted by Justin Spicer on Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 11:13 AM
Invisible Cinema is a tale of two distinct sides, so buying it digitally (which is likely the only method of getting your hands on the music with the limited vinyl edition sold out) may remove some impact from the music, as the dividing lines become blurry. However, by the end of Invisible Cinema — no matter how you’re listening—you’re going to need to hear it again.
Victor Villarreal steps out from behind veteran indie outfits such as Cap’n Jazz and Joan of Arc to produce two sets of different yet complimentary songs. Side A is technical and contemplative; Villarreal demonstrates his steady hands through three songs of uptempo melancholy. Opener "Enters" is an elegantly constructed suite of guitars ans strings, harkening to the days before indie was a stylized genre, but an artistic choice.
But it's on Side B where Villarreal begins to eschew traditional indie sounds for more compositional impact. “The Guess” kicks off a wave of alternative nostalgia, recalling the sprawling three minute radio hook that laid larva in your brain and refused to yield control until your taped down repeat button fell apart. Follow up “Sway” showcases Jim O’Rourke circa his Insignificance era, layering catchy melodies with drones and wails that are seemingly out of place in pop.
Invisible Cinema is a rich experience listen after listen. Villarreal daftly implants experimental sounds across the accessibility spectrum. Pop music craves deviation and Villarreal produces it in seven versatile songs.
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