Something I caught in today's Downtown Music Gallery update... SS JOHN SCHULLER - lesser angel of failure (world misery recordings 001) When I first got this promo in the mail, I glanced at the return address from world misery recordings and thought, "Oh no, not more death metal poop to toss into circular file?!?" Lucky for me, Manny insisted I hear it and we were completely blown away by this bizarre treasure. Can't say that I've heard of Seattle based John Schuller before, but his wonderfully weird cd does include the playing of violin visionary Eyvind Kang and Bill Horist, another name that sounds rather familiar. Beginning with "another hanging", we get an enchanting electric guitar and piano tinkling intro, which is later overtaken by restrained but heavy feedback mutations, with some lead guitar squirming out of the thick mass/mess. By the time we get to the title track, we get someone named Brad Mowen singing in a bizarre, dweezling (invented?) language, a sort of alien lullaby. "vanilla sufi" features exotic zither sounds, distant droning electronics, ritualistic drumming whatnot, all in a mesmerizing haze. While John plays warped piano on "e tempo di morire", Brad once again mumbles/laughs with his alien voice like a deranged mental patient. Things get even stranger on "civil war bukakke" with layers of more mutant transmissions, screechy death-rattle violin and swirling carnival psychosis. There is a central enchanting yet disturbing melody, which is played by Eyvind's completely tortured violin and John's somber, sustained el. guitar squall. On "kweekamae mao", we get more ridiculous layers of alien vocals from John and Brad, recalling some early Residents-like weirdness. Schuller claims inspiration from the Sun City Girls (amongst others) who are also living in Seattle and I can hear some Secret Chiefs in there as well. Considering I had never heard of John Schuller before, this is certainly a surprising treasure of grand alien transmissions from another world. CD only release for $13.