Split EP. Chad VanGaalen - Astral Swans

A split single or EP is an as sympathetic as it is strange phenomenon. Usually I only want to hear one of the artists, like here Astral Swans. On the sympathetic side it allowed me to be surprised by Chad VanGaalen.

VanGaalen is a Canadian musician from Calgary and active for over 20 years. His first album is from 2004. Reading up on him, I found out that he records his songs in his cellar, on a tape machine with self-made instruments. How that is for the three songs on this split EP I do not know. Fact is that the first two songs are very pleasant, if somewhat weirder singer-songwriter songs. Definitely lo-fi but with a load of effects and electronics surrounding VanGaalen's higher voice. He's not afraid to go up and make his voice wobble a bit here and there. There's a delicateness in his music and singing that is simply appealing.

'Earth People' is a song that when all is said and done can be played by the hearth with a nice fire going in it. I can even imagine the song was recorded there first and then the cellar and self-built instruments came out, including an effect here and there put on everything at some moment. An organ that sounds as if it can fall apart at any moment and yet, it's all so beautiful. "Love" is the big message and yes, it comes across. All the effects are window dressing as such, but effective. I love the psychedelic result all the effects and VanGaalen's, double or more tracked, voice give off. 'Earth People' the song may be called, but it's more like we are all floating in space without a way home. This is an impressive song.

It also reminds me somewhat of what Astral Swans has released in the recent past. The Split EP was not decided on for nothing. The two acts fit as this EP shows. "This Split EP was made in the spirit of friendship & experimentation", it reads on Bandcamp and it shows.

'I'm Sick' is more solid, though still dipped into psychedelia. The rhythm is more persistent, while around it wobbly stuff is going on. The drums as it were take the listener by the hand and it works. VanGaalen can't be that sick, as he is shouting it out with so much enthusiasm.

In song three the experimentation is set free. Although I hear what is going on in 'Frogman',  including Alex Adkins' broken electronics, I have a hard time getting through this song. The experiment is driving itself through the guardrail and into the endlessly deep cliff. Of course, I hear things that could have been presented by Frank Zappa, to call but one example. It doesn't make it easier to listen to.

Astral Swans presents a more or less alternative rocker as its opening song. This is some tight drums playing and some percussion as well driving the song forward. Over it a psychedelic track unfolds with a huge saxophone solo, played by Jarius Sharif. 'Same Old Story' is the second song. Again the darker mood strikes me. Astral Swans, again, is rocking out, but does not sound happy. There are no positive vibes to be caught here, like there were on the previous two albums. What can be caught is the energy in 'Same Old Story'. It is here where the two singer-songwriters match each other.

The album ends with a Minor Threat cover, with a for an album dangerous title 'Filler'. I only have the faintest recollection of the name Minor Threat, no music there at all. Astral Swans takes the song and comes up with a The Velvet Underground influenced version of 'Filler', that is all but. The more I hear the song, the more I like it. In the intro I had my doubts, sure, but they disappeared as snow for the sun. Just listen to that guitar coming in in the chorus, the way Matthew Swann starts singing. And only then the rhythm section drops in. By the time the ahhs come in, my 'What Goes On' gen is totally activated and rejoicing. What a way to end this oh so nice Split EP.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order the EP here:

https://chadvangaalenastralswans.bandcamp.com/album/split-ep