[08.02] Given the right mood, Howard Hello can be a very satisfying listen, especially if you have the opportunity to hear the entire record uninterrupted. You must be in the mood for drawn out, plucked acoustics, haunting vocals, Steve Reich-style keyboards and the absence of drums (although the steady guitar takes on its fair share of rythmic complexity). Sounds on this record are given ample time to affect and evolve—so this is not music to play at your next BBQ, but its great for those long drives or late nights alone with nothing but your thoughts.

Howard Hello strikes a nice balance between the folky, acoustic playfulness of John Fahey and the glitchy doodle of laptop composers like Fennesz or Takagi Masakatsu. Kenseth Thibideau's (Tarentel, Rumah Sakit) production is top-notch, with precise acoustic guitars, exquisite vocals (thanks to Marty Anderson of Dilute and Wendy Allen of Court and Spark), and DSP wizardy that serves to continuously break and twist the music at different layers. The songs have a delicate, thoughtful air about them that definitely demand some patience, but they are always well worth the time. —Nyles