You have to admit, it’s a fair old pedigree, even if it does lack something in the way of continuity: Andy Chase – member of the band Ivy, co-founder of Stratosphere Sound recording studio, score provider and arranger for movies like Shallow Hal (featuring Jack Black) and There’s Something About Mary, producer to the likes of the Smashing Pumpkins, Divine Comedy and Juliana Hatfield. Unusual? You betcha. And you’ll be pleased to know Mr Chase continues to wrong foot us with the release of ‘Wonderfully Nothing’ under the painfully anonymous and misleading moniker, Brookville.
Expecting a little country and western? Prepare to be disappointed and elated in one fell swoop. Brookville flaunts the kind of silky smooth ambient traditionally associated Zero 7, Royskopp, Tweaker, Telepopmusik and a remixed Kings Of Convenience. Opening track, ‘Fleet’ plunders the rich seam of gentle-rock that is Stevie Nicks’ ‘Beautiful Child’ (see Tusk) and sinks it into a warm and bubbling spa pool of trip beats and squelching keypads. ‘Walking On Moonlight’ whispers along a similar tinkling coordinate but manages to sculpt something of real craft from its variety of floating textures. It’s experimental, but precise. And although ‘Sweet Sensation’ shamelessly reprises the chorus of ‘All That Your Good For’ by fellow New Yorkers ‘Hem’, it’s a song that could soothe even the queasiest of garage ulcers. Pure, simple and thoroughly reassuring.
It’s unlikely to yield any ‘hits’ but I dare say this isn’t the point as in an Elliot Smith/Jon Brion kind of way, the very sound of it impresses.
*The albums includes contributions from James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins) and Eric Matthews (Cardinal).