Lichens Omns

When he's not busy playing bass and providing vocals for the rather excellent 90 Day Men, Robert Lowe can be found making distinct and otherworldly sounds on his own as Lichens.

The peculiarly titled Omns is Lowe's second solo release. Its predecessor, 2005's The Psychic Nature of Being, completely slipped under my radar, although at the time of writing it is available for free download on the Kranky website

And if Omns is anything to go by, it may well be worth checking out.

Traditional song structures go out of the window over the course of this five track album, as Lowe utilises droning bass and jarring electric guitar runs to create a ghostly, cinematic experience. Elsewhere, sparse acoustic guitars and barely recognisable vocals are implemented to great effect.

The opening track Vevor of Agassou (which can also be downloaded here) provides an excellent - and relatively gentle - introduction to the world of Lichens. A gorgeous haze of heavily processed vocals and soothing bass provide the foundation for a glistening, hypnotic electric guitar riff. For anyone who's been fortunate enough to see Peter Fonda's The Hired Hand, this track and its successor Faeries would provide the perfect soundtrack to Vilmos Zsigmond's mesmerising cinematography.

The next two offerings are also the longest. Bune is a cacophonous delight, a long, jarring trip with a soundtrack of meandering distorted guitars. The 18 minute plus M St r ng W tchcr ft L v ng n Sp r t (your guess is as good as mine) is another drone based offering, which begins with a monotonous (yet not unpleasant) bassline and plenty of whirring guitars and multi-tracked sounds. Around the halfway mark, the music grinds to a halt and we are left with the sound of birdsong. Gradually, a ghostly voice re-enters the mix and ushers to track to its conclusion.

Omns might not be an album for all occasions - I certainly wouldn't try slipping it on at a party - but in the right setting (probably alone, with headphones) it is undoubtedly one of the most unique and exhilarating listening experiences of the year. Seek it out, set aside some quality time and prepare to be rewarded.