Riles, Zak

Riles, Zak
Important Records
General | Mar 2009

Reviews

Gears
Reviewed 2009-03-16
Absolutely beautiful guitar based instrumental music with a very definite middle-eastern flavor. Think of a combination of Fahey-like guitar picking with elements of psychedelic Turkish music such as Mogollar, Erkin Koray, and Zen. Beautiful, narcotic, droney stuff, suitable for a nighttime slot. Zak Riles is one of the guitarists of Portland based Grails and this record clearly shows what an important influence he has in the band. Highly recommended! For fans of Grails, John Fahey, James Blackshaw, Mogollar, Erkin Koray, Zen.

Picks: 5,4,6 *** No FCCs ***

1. wave sound sample leads into this bright Fahey-like pastoral hymn
2. swirling guitars, reminiscent of a more thoughtful Grails moment
3. cyclical, builds up slowly, very oriental sounding... theme from a song from "Burning Off Impurities". nice to hear again though...
*4. vibraphone backdrop with saz, totally narcotic bliss...
**5. again builds up slowly, droney, a reference to "Take Refuge In Clean Living"
*6. more Fahey style beautiful fingerpicking, starts slow, but picks up in energy, gets more energetic towards the end
7. storm sample, slightly more somber, even nostalgic mood

Recent airplay

Slack Key
minimum entropyNov 27, 2013
Before The Refuge
Tomayto and tomahtoMay 05, 2009
Slack Key
Living Souls [for A]May 05, 2009
Slack Key
Before The Refuge
Music CasseroleApr 04, 2009
Slack Key, Before The Refuge
before bballApr 03, 2009

Charting

2009-03-22 — 2009-05-24
Week EndingAirplays
May 10 2
Apr 12 1
Apr 5 4
Mar 29 2

Track listing

1. Pacific Siren
2. Confluence
3. Sand/Silk Road Origin
4. Res Extensa
5. Before The Refuge
6. Slack Key
7. Chloe