Knotted Cord

A one-woman band, Knotted Cord is the nom de guerre of California-based multi-instrumentalist Rebecca Koehner. Written, performed, engineered, produced and released by Koehner, Polyphonic Beasts Expand in Parallel is the debut full-length from Knotted Cord, coming hot on the heels of the Moth-Shaped Flame EP. Having drawn comparisons to early Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, Koehner's brand of out-rock is rife with outrageously obtuse guitar passages, Pete Nolan-inspired drumming and vocals reminiscent of dreamy chanteuse Hope Sandoval. More often than not, each of the nine tracks wanders within a common theme without really travelling in any direction whatsoever. Notable exceptions are "Dissolution," which attempts to disassemble itself mid-song, and the almost straightforward "Glory Say Golden Hello." Polyphonic Beasts would be a fine effort from a four-piece rock outfit; the fact that it is the product of a lone individual raises its esteem quite a few notches.