Artist: Pattern Is Movement
Album: Stowaway
Label: NFI
Tracks: 12
Length: 32:39
Review By: Jacob Gehman

Perfection is practically impossible. But that doesn’t stop Pattern Is Movement from coming oh-so-close. I seriously thought I was getting some emo band with a name like Pattern Is Movement. I guess that will teach me to make rash assumptions before hearing an album. Indeed, this is one of those albums which no review can do it justice. No matter how flowery and poetic my words, no matter how many band comparisons I can think up, and regardless how well of a picture of Pattern Is Movement’s technical abilities I will not be able conjure anything close to what properly portrays their music. I shall, however, give it my best shot.

Flowery & Poetic Words

Pattern Is Movement makes me feel like I have just climbed to the peak of Mt. Rushmore and am seconds away from pulling out an old, red sled and casting myself down the mountain side. But no, in an act of Divine intervention I am instead swimming in a sparkling ocean amid a flock of manta rays. Their large wings caressing the sea waters like large fans over an emperor’s head,  sending wave after wave billowing around me.

Band Comparisons

Captain Beefheart. Especially from the “Trout Mask Replica” era.
Philip Glass. The way repetition doesn’t feel overdone and creates interesting patterns within the music.
Dear Ephesus. Every person can be playing different notes but it combines into something beautiful.
Tom Waits. Not his distinctive vocal delivery, but how the instruments have that off-beat, scratched out quality to them.
Gastr Del Sol. Particularly “Crookt, Crackt, Orfly” era. The seemingly effortless and random genius of how the guitars are played.
Noodles. Not a band, but listening to this cd makes me think of spaghetti.

Their Skills

The obvious skill is the talent of the guitar work. From the instrumental interludes to the chaos of the song “Maple” it is all pulled off impeccably. Less apparent (but no less important) is how the songs are crafted. They know how to weave the different instruments together to create an interesting and textured soundscape. They aren’t afraid of a song that is horribly catchy, but in a non-traditionally pop way. I can’t begin to count the mornings I’ve woken up with a song from “Stowaway” running through my head. I love how frequently the keyboard is simply playing a one note melody line in time with the singing most of the time. It blends together to form something both soft and exciting.

What Needs Improved

Thankfully the few distractions are mostly overlookable. The production works, but it does feel like it’s on the lower end of what is acceptable in today’s indie scene. The singer’s voice works well with the music most of the time, feeling unique within the context of the songs. There are a few places where he pushes it too much and instead of working with and highlighting the instruments he overpowers them. Time should smooth those complaints out, though.

In Conclusion

So while Pattern Is Movement has not released a perfect album it comes so close and is such a breath of fresh air it becomes hard to fault them for it. I don’t want to say it’s the best of the year, however, it’s not too adventurous for me to think there is an outstanding chance of it making my yearly top ten list.