MASTER SLEEPS

Those with an appetite for hypnotic murmuring and percussion, fuzzy, vast-sounding guitars, and melodic repetition should acquire Hill's Master Sleeps. Staples of the space-rock category are here in abundance.

"Rise Again" The long sweeping flanged guitar creates the "cosmic-wind" through which the percussive music is funneled.

"Bring Me Sand" Although the guitar ventures into the exotic, the determined beat provides a 1980s feel. At any moment I was expecting Kate Bush to open her mouth, and that would have been far more enjoyable than the stream of screeching noise wrestling in the foreground.

"Claras Vaggvisa" Thin organ tweets alongside a dirge of steady bass and drum as distant voices call out.

"The Vessel" Again emphasizing the expansive guitar, "The Vessel" moves with a steady rapidity.

"Master Sleeps" Dipping a toe into the muddy waters of blues rock, the title track features a motif laden with low guitar bends. Much of the piece consists of tonal simplicity, depending on subtle shifts and variations.

"Death Shall Come" Electronic droning and otherworldly chanting leads the listener into an exotic space temple, a sonic ritual marrying the ancient forgotten ways to the technology of tomorrow. Although somber and murky, the piece is more varied than its brethren.