Mark Trecka, Evan Hydzik, and Elizabeth Remis are Pillars and Tongues, a trio from Chicago, Illinois who want to bring peace and sublimity to each space they inhabit, whether it be the speakers in your room or playing live at some venue. Not to pontificate or hyperbolize, but thematically Pillars and Tongues embody the spirit and philosophy of Albert Ayler?s Music is the Healing Force Of The Universe. The trio create positive and healthy spontaneous compositions that resonate in spirit form while manifesting as sound. Think of these as psychedelic, free-jazz, chamberfolk-jamms; a kind of soul-searching free-music or celestial cinema. Violin, upright bass, melodica, organ, and harmonica are the instruments of choice for these cosmic sojourners who each occasionally sing poetry in rural spiritual tongues. The music never really reaches the point of noise although dissonance is used sparsely throughout. Mostly what we have here is a record to listen to while spacing out on a spiritual lift. Beautiful, coherent, and free.

This album comes in homemade packaging of burlap and thread with home-burned cdr. From what I understand, you have to see them live to get a copy, so it may be difficult to find one. Track ?em down on MySpace and write ?em a note. They?ll appreciate it. 6/10 -- Todd Brooks (21 January, 2008)