Noon Chill
Even in Arto Lindsay's guitar skronk days, the tropicalia music he grew up with in Brazil remained a primary influence. Now with his recent solo albums, Lindsay's musical vision as a postmodern tropicalista has truly flowered. He tentatively explored bossa nova in 1996'sO Corpo Sutilthen boldly plunged forward by adding trip-hoppy beats and textures on 1997'sMundo Civilizadoand to his remixes onHyper Civilizado. This installment,Noon Chill, unites these adaptations and appropriations with his more discordant past. The results provide a climax for Lindsay's Brazilian trilogy, and his richest, most realized statement yet.Noon Chillstarts with spare guitar and percussion rhythms, then overlays off-kilter sound treatments to provide depth and drama without adding distraction. Lindsay's quiet, warm vocals make up in phrasing and melodic subtlety what they lack in power. Sensual and often startling,Noon Chillintroduces the unlikely joys of avant-garde make-out music.--Roni Sarig