Tim Chaplin - Honesty (2011)

Bandcamp

9.3

/Art folk, New Weird Europe, Experimental folk, Psych-folk, Avant-folk, Baroque folk, Singer-songwriter, Alt-folk/

Comment: Tim Chaplin aka Luminous is one of those unsung art rockers/indie experimentalists waiting to get more appreciated for they deserve by full right. He started already it the end of 90`s, since having created uncompromising ditties and idiosyncratic compositions. He is also part of Factory Kids (with Christina Marie). These 12 songs are settled in the billowy junkyard of cracks and hisses creating a contrasty folder for twanging guitars and zestful vocal lines. All what was described is just a hint at the dominating template. He is supported by many collaborators, who used to play theremin, Hammond organ, and different kinds of strings. Pertaining of that Chaplin is the sort of genius it is showcased through such songs as So She Says, and Your Top Ten (the last one resembles a little of Have You Seen Her Lately, the Pulp`s classic one.

Luminous - Or Burn​/​BG (2011)

Bandcamp

9.0

/Avant-garde, Industrial, Krautrock, Experimentalism, Leftfield, Weird pop/

Comment: First of all, it happened in the autumn of 2010 when I reviewed Factory Kids` album Get Gone (Noecho Records). This was a mesmerizing output by the Scottish duo (Christina Marie & Tom Chaplin). However, Luminous is the solo project by Chaplin (who has released music under his own name as well) who continues to exploit similar language as the duo has done. Only 2 tracks are represented here - you can enjoy from within coming flashing krautrock-ish (Faust-like) bleeps inbetween the monotone repetitions all of that wrapped up in the hazy soundscape; the second track is about vaporous noise progressions ornated with elliptical orbits of cadences. Similarly to Factory Kids those tracks are seemingly experimentally lopsided, yet, regarding its (inner) content the issue can be considered an example of (weird) pop music. A convincing result indeed.