Work of art vinyl/CD combo
The first release since their self-titled debut album of 2003, 'Sky/Moon' is undoubtedly one of the most lovingly created pieces of vinyl that I have ever seen. Delicately shrouded in hand-printed linen that's quaintly held in place by hair clips and embellished with a subtle woodland vista, it has the feel of traditional country produce – kind of like those pots of jam you get at farmers markets with the checkered red & white cloth on the lid. Even the press release is printed on ivory parchment paper, with lettering that looks like it's actually been stamped from the pads of a vintage typewriter. I get the impression that there won't be too many of these released – there just isn't enough time in the day.
Removing the clips and unfolding the fabric feels a bit like unwrapping a present at Christmas; and like all the best Christmas presents, there is a surprise waiting. The book-style inlay folds out to reveal a hidden treat – this isn't just a vinyl, but actually contains the CD version too. I can't remember having ever seen a dual-format package like this before, but it's these nice touches that really single it out as a truly special release – record collectors will be in heaven here.
Now I know such things shouldn't matter; it should just be about the music and nothing else, but in these times of impersonal mass marketing and bottom-line cost cutting, it's nice to see someone putting a little more thought and passion into things. Besides, people who buy vinyl follow their heart rather than their head – no matter what you say, it DOESN'T sound better, and for them the overall presentation is almost as important as the music itself. However, the music still needs to stand up by itself, and in fact probably faces a more intense scrutiny in this case, as it needs to be pretty special to warrant all this effort.
Thankfully, The Little Explorer don't disappoint. 'The Fool Looks At The Finger That Points To The Sky' opens with intricate guitar lines that bear more than a passing resemblance to The Appleseed Cast's 'Hello Dearest Love', although that comparison doesn't really do justice to the infectious and uplifting melodies TLE wrestle out of their instruments. 'And Somehow The Moon Got Lost Along The Way' is a more laid-back affair, gently sauntering along with wistful melancholy that's emphasised by a tastefully understated cello, before exploding into a whirlwind of flailing screams. TLE have taken onboard elements of the post-rock dynamic, least of all with their affinity for expansive track lengths (these two clock in at over eleven minutes), successfully splicing it with a math-pop spark to irresistible effect.
'Sky/Moon' is the first release on Time Travel Opps, and marks both a band and a label that we can expect very good things from in the future.