Weight And Measure

Weight And Measure sounds like a strange and haunting dream, the kind that doesn’t really make sense as it’s happening and feels even fuzzier upon waking. Hunter Dragon (playing this Friday at Glob) achieves moments of real artistry and beauty on Weight, though in places the album definitely falls into the realm of weird for weird’s sake.

“To Charlie And Paul” is a thrumming electronic drone grounded by the distinct voice of a robot voicemail inbox secretary. “Re-Creationism” grinds with an aggressive, buzzy beat that’s almost danceable, with sawing electronic flourishes and distant ghostly moan-singing. “Last Time I Played Golf…” is full of chaotic percussion, 8-bit quacks, and rock-tumbler percussion.

Occasionally, a twisted pop song will shine through the din. On the very catchy “Postal Waltz,” Dragon evokes early Animal Collective as he chants, “We know, we know.” But the album’s real highlight is “Ohio Doesn’t Deserve You.” With strange, low howls and a panning harmonica holding long notes, it churns like the sound at the center of the earth. Electronic roars break the surface of the song and die out quickly, like lava bubbles growing and popping, increasing in pitch as they go. A hidden melody slowly develops, mostly obscured by the song’s roaring engine heart.

If more of the album were like “Ohio,” it could be something extraordinary, a significant contribution to experimental music that leans towards the sublime. Weight And Measure is introspective, as head-smart as it is street-smart. But most of the songs are over before they’ve really had a chance to be anything great. The record feels half-finished and uneasy at parts. Maybe it’s a study in patience—trade in “wait” for “weight,” and it’s like instructions on how to listen to the album. Though at just over 30 minutes, the album leaves the listener waiting for a bit more to explore.