Abandoned Observatories - Dresden Codex
From an EP chronicling the work of a cadre of space mechanics, “Escape Velocity” by Dresden Codex lends the sixth episode of _____ mood. a bittersweet send off.
“Really, the EP is roughly the story of a group of mechanics who service abandoned observatories across the galaxy,” explained Ryan Anderson of Dresden Codex. “The song reflects the effort it takes to break out of what could be a comfortable, yet longer-term detrimental situation.”
I never would have imagined what the work of a galactic service brigade sounds like, but Dresden Codex put forth a surprising and convincing interpretation. Solitude and wistfulness intermingle with optimism, fortitude and nostalgia in songs with titles like “Skyway to Nowhere,” “Decommissioned” and “Routine Maintenance”. Abandoned Observatories is emotive even though the work must go on.
Dresden Codex includes Ryan Anderson [Füxa, Sonixcursions podcast, Mass Transfer: A Zinethology] on bass, drums, synths and Omnichord and guitar work by Van Kapeghian [furiousBall and Camino Sound].
After hearing the back-story of Abandoned Observatories, it makes sense why I think the six songs of the EP are best enjoyed together, in succession. Do find 15 minutes to buckle up and go for a ride, comrades. Old fans of Füxa will hear vapours of the band’s quintessentially 90s indie space pop sounds and wandering psych trips.
Wait… can you hear vapour?
Abandoned Observatories is an EP that hangs together extremely well, which also made it difficult to choose a single song to include in a _____ mood. mix. Ultimately, “Escape Velocity” seemed to be the perfect follow-on from the fuzzed-out liftoff of Mary Lattimore’s “Chop on the Climbout” in episode six of _____ mood.
“Sometimes the gravitational pull is more than expected and it takes several tries to get to the speed to break out of the pull and leave a planet,” said Ryan. “Yet another interpretation, and one that’s a recurring theme for me, is just the idea of a place (say, a planet or even a home town) that gets so bad for a person or group of people that they have to leave, yet there is still nostalgia or sentiment for the place, and it will be missed - though there could be a better future ahead.”
Now go listen to the vapours and tell me what you hear. You can get the Abandoned Observatories EP over at the Bandcamp page of Dresden Codex.