Apparently, a much different record is created in North Beijing than say, when you roam around the Catskills for awhile. When Amen Dunes’ first LP DIA surfaced two years back, it got a lot of attention… or as much attention as the blogsphere will allow any artist. Much was said of Damon McMahon’s freak folk trippiness and 180• departure from his former work as part of Inouk. By comparison, this new, made-in-china record makes his debut sound flatter and less ambitious than the dense, reverb-drenched soundscapes he’s putting together now.
For his sophomore effort, Through Donkey Jaw, (Sacred Bones Records) the results are more dreamy, insulated and paired down than I expected. But then… I’ve never been to Beijing. Gone are his once trademark monotone drawl, replaced with chant-like ups and downs from the crazy buildup in "Not a Slave" to the softly lilting ‘Swim Up Behind Me." Give McMahon floor toms, stratocaster and massive echo, and he’ll burrow his way into your sub-conscious like Syd Barrett or Beck circa One Foot in the Grave.
Well, now Amen Dunes is back in Brooklyn, so show our ex-pat some love. Grab the new record on iTunes Aug. 11, and see him live at Shea Stadium for psych folk night with 1129 and MV & EE. – Mike Levine
