Part Timer – Undead

The latest edition to Hibernate Recordings’ ‘Postcard’ series comes from Lancashire-born, Melbourne-based musician Part Timer. Glancing at the track list for the release, one immediately notices something a little unusual: the first four tracks are simply named Parts One to Four, while the final track is listed as “Undead Parts 1-4”. Upon first listen, it becomes apparent that the latter is an amalgamation of its four predecessors, with a little editing and rearranging to better fit the longer form. The parts in their stand-alone version each have a discrete, song-like structure; when they are brought together things become less clear-cut, with more room to linger on particular phrases and ambiances. In this sense, the last track comes across as a hazy recollection of the first four, as if after an interval of many years.

But what about the music? Despite the title of the release, there is little about the sound of “Undead” that could be called sinister or dark. Gentle piano melodies drift unhurriedly across an ocean of subtle electronics, acoustic guitar, simple strings, and found sounds, occasionally nudged along by a shuffling downtempo beat. Although the piano carries the central tune in each of the tracks, the instrument’s position in the mix is varied, sometimes melting slowly into noise, before coalescing and surging forward once more. The effect is glacially majestic in the first two parts, warm and summery in the latter two. This is an immensely relaxing record, and one that demonstrates an impressive amount of control from its composer, who keeps things moving along just enough to stir and soothe without reducing the listener to boredom.

Part Timer has previously released albums on Moteer, Flau, and Lost Tribe Sound, and composed “Undead” for a performance in Sydney in July 2011. As is usual with Hibernate’s ‘Postcards’, the release is available as a download and as a numbered 3” CD-r limited to 100 copies. This is another fine addition to the popular series, which has previously featured contributions from Damian Valles, Relmic Statute, and Yellow6 & David Newlyn. They tend to sell out quickly, so get yours while you can!

- Nathan Thomas for Fluid Radio

www.hibernate-recs.co.uk