Videoing
Reader LP
Slack Electric
By: Mary Leary
It’s electronic, it’s punk, it’s rock. It’s ragged, it’s tight. That’s about as close to pigeonholing Austin, TX-based Adreon Henry’s latest music project as I can get. Whether you hate, love, or are ambivalent about creative types who seem as busy as a many-armed Hindu goddess, Henry could be a poster child for the type. Per his bio, “Adreon Henry has spent the last decade developing a long list of successful music, art, and mixed media projects including the ‘00s art/electro/post-punk trio Single Frame, spin and mashup masters Car Stereo Wars, and rap/punk/performance art troupe Custodian. Recent art projects range from the opening of E-Z Egos and Effigies, an Austin Convenience store dedicated to the sale of online personas and accompanying vinyl paintings, to a residency to develop pieces for the Albuquerque Film Festival in honor of actor Dean Stockwell…”
And Videoing is, in no way, a throwaway: The trio’s emitting exciting, stimulating sounds. Jen Bradley brings a Flying Lizard/Sonic Youth cool to the tracks where she adds her vocals in addition to the keyboards and violin she adds to others. Brendan Reilly contributes vocals, guitars, and bass. Henry’s drumming has a lot to do with why it all works; adding another voice with fierce, varied dynamics. He also sings and plays keyboards.
At its best, Videoing swims in a sea with White Noise Sound, Delta 5, Gumball, Sonic Youth, and Robert Smith (if not, necessarily, the Cure). It’s at its best a lot, although“Dignity (d),” “You’re Over,” and “Under the I,” and “Crimson Wave” are on my personal Faves list. A limited edition of the physical edition of the album, featuring Henry’s design and silk screening, can be found on the Slack Electric site: www.slackelectric.com