Alto//Piano cover

Alto//Piano

Released

A bit like Tom Zé or a differently freaked Sebadoh? Everest Magma is a force in the Italian underground, ten years into a streak of thrilling records. Alto//Piano has a Harry Smith vibe, like he sang his heart out while making a bespoke gnostic cowbell mobile to ward off distemper. Then, Magma turns around to bang on a set of thin weathervanes suspended in tanks of olive oil while reciting hymns to his own private god, a guitar covered in wax and contact mics that cures blindness. The feel of the homemade is strong here, as is a relish for the process of making and editing sounds. There are not always vocals but everything sings.

Sasha Frere-Jones

Recommended by

Suggestions
Almanac Behind cover

Almanac Behind

Daniel Bachman
Coda cover

Coda

Ryuichi Sakamoto
Junun cover

Junun

Jonny Greenwood, Shye Ben Tzur, The Rajasthan Express
Cyborg cover

Cyborg

Klaus Schulze
Plegnic cover

Plegnic

Jay Glass Dubs
Comet Meta cover

Comet Meta

David Grubbs, Taku Unami
Järnnätter cover

Järnnätter

Civilistjävel!