Woodsman

Post-rock is a dish best served cold, just ask Woodsman, a self-proclaimed "post-psychedelic" foursome from Denver, CO. Featuring two percussionists and two "sonic animators," the group offer nothing in the way of fiery crescendos or catchy hooks, instead building their tracks around a chilly patchwork of feedback loops, pattering percussion and spidery guitar work. It's as if they decided to make an entire 29-minute album out of intros alone ― the grooves bubble and simmer, sounding as if they're building towards a climax that never comes. Almost half of the disc's runtime is taken up by fifth and final track "Smells Like Purple." A 14-minute freeform jam, it gets off to an uncharacteristically upbeat start, with crunchy guitars and a rumbling, tom-heavy beat. By the halfway point, however, any thoughts of the long-awaited payoff have melted away, replaced by swirling ambience and aimless, jazzy drumming. It's a skin-crawling example of what makes Mystery Tape simultaneously frustrating and intriguing.