Rodan - Rusty (1994)

Rodan was another progenitor of the early post-rock/ math-rock sound. Rusty was the only album they released besides a few scattered compilation tracks. The whole of their existence was 3 years, yet they sound on Rusty like they have existed since the dawn of time. Their complete understanding of duality and seemless integration of the two are a big part of their music. Songs veer back in forth from interwoven angular guitar compositions to dense, boxy chunks of noise. With members going on to bands such as the Rachels, June of 44, Shipping News and the Sonora Pine, as well as solo careers, it is easy to see how they all had previously explored such a wide range of sounds to such success. The first song, Bibe Silver Corner is a prelude of sorts, but rich and dense in almost classical structure. When Shiner comes up next it is a complete shock, a sucker punch, like the name somehow implies. The rest of the album finds the band juxtaposing these two extremes and finding much ground to be tread in between. In fact, Rodan almost goes hand in hand with Slints Spiderland album. It is a logical progression from where that great band left off. Rusty is an amazing piece of experimental rock music and sounds timeless even compared to all the bands that have taken their cues from Rodan.

If anyone has a vinyl release of this album, and would like to sell it, I would be very interested. I can do a trade too, though I have very little vinyl I would want to get rid of at this point. But I would throw in the Rodan CD as part of the trade. Let me know. I am not even sure if it was ever released on vinyl.

There is also a John Peel session of Rodan that I am looking for. Please inform. Thanks!

This album also resides on my Best Albums in Existence list.