Painting Twilight is
Mark Rownd's first contribution to Spotted Peccary's quest to forge a new style of American music. At that, it is an important contribution.
Rownd has done much work with rhythms and their variations and relationships to melodies. Indeed, his first CD, Desert Waves, was dedicated to polyrhythmic textures. This disc bears similarities to that CD and borders on the avant-garde.
Rownd's experimental techniques set him apart from his peers. His music is familiar and different at the same time. In short, it is a paradox and a conundrum -- delightful ones at that. Deep listeners are drawn into the mystery as
Rownd toys with them, teasing and offering the solution while hiding it from view. The soundscape is confusing but it is worth the effort to sort through it. This CD will appeal to fans of Robert Scott Thompson, Terre Thaemlitz,
Voice of Eye, and Polly Moller. ~ Jim Brenholts