a study in her

dialogic

‘”Dialogic” is a love affair between a boy and his computer. It is an amalgamated mix of jungle beats, indie guitars, and spacey electronica drawing on numerous colors of the spectral ray in this prism of sound. See American Analog Set, My Bloody Valentine, and The Roots for comparison. Add vocal comparisons to a subdued Billy Corgan on a great day.

As the album title suggests, A Study in Her consists mainly of a shared microphone between ex-Jenhitt frontman Costas Nakassis and frontwoman Tamara Black. Unlike Rainer Maria, though, their intellectual capacity highly surpasses the level of make-you-sick “I love you” songs. Actually, whatever lyrics are actually understandable, require the assistance of a dictionary, and a linguistics aficionado to comprehend. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Enter “Tropes on Television,” which seems just a little too plastic and forced to fit in with the other 11 tracks.

After a long gestation period of recording album upon album fit for release only to friends, “Dialogic” is the first full length release mastered and tailored for the general public. Reminiscent of a good book or movie, the songs required numerous drafts and revisions from their early stages. Now, like “Fight Club,” the album reveals its secrets with time and patience. The more you listen, the more you learn.

Picture a kid in a music store playing on a keyboard. Ignore the atrocious dins extolled from the tiny speakers and imagine the wistful symphony of sound in that child’s imagination. That is ASIH: an ethereal mix of harmonies and melodies too complex for most to produce in practice.

That picture is not too far off from the actual ASIH songwriting process. More often then not, the music is scripted by Costas. Then the actors are called in to try out to fit each part best. “Dialogic” is more like a musical play, taking shape in surround sound around your ears.

It is a love affair that extends beyond the limits of a boy and his computer. It is an obsession with music, intellectualism, and a deep and profound respect for all people invited to take part in the ASIH microcosm. It is a test, pushing the limits of traditional instrumentation juxtaposed against experimental electronica. If it makes a sound, it is fair game.

ASIH is a good red wine, or expensive cigar. It is an acquired taste, that expects a prerequisite knowledge of the mechanics of music. It is that same imaginative child, deconstructing the whole into little pieces and putting it all back together in the way that is best seen fit.