Superb use of the 3” mini-cdr format here, from this utterly mysterious British troupe of string manglers. The packaging is eye-catching and signals both attention to detail and a unique approach to things - heavy black cardboard with creepily awesome sticker art and all three discs attached at the top. The first disc (“take it to the sun / take it to the earth”) is all clatter and strum of the acoustic variety (guitars, various strings, and likely a bulbul tarang in there too). Shades of early Shadow Ring sans vocals are readily apparent, and it’s a pretty compelling 20 minutes. Titles are appropriate given the particularly earthen flavor of the scrapes and strums. Disc the second is titled with all lower cases “i”s, and is, like this group, entirely ego-free. Electric guitars and fuzz start the first track off, and I’m reminded of a less dense version of Vibracathedral Orchestra, with fast paced chords repeated until they blur and lull the listener into hypnosis. The second track adds bass, and is more dissonant, ultimately reaching a nice percussive climax as its climax. And then it’s time for the final disc, a single 15 minute track that is the sparsest track yet, but also the one filled with most mystery. Travelling from gentle autoharp-ish strings to rattling bamboo percussion to amp hum and gentle waves of feedback generated drone, this is one lovely ride. The ending is particularly effective, with an implied nod to Jandek coming through as well. All in all, this is an excellent introduction to jupiterdogs, though I can’t say I know a thing about them, making it a perplexing one as well. If the intent was to intrigue the listener and cast a spell cloaked in mystery, the goal was accomplished in style. A set of music all about the texture and mystery is always a good thing in my book, and when it’s done this well, who’s to complain about a little lack of information?!? 8/10 -- Eric Hardiman (22 July, 2009)