HEAR: Makeunder – “Great Headless Blank”

Makeunder

“Great Headless Blank”

Great Headless Blank

What can I say about Makeunder?  This art band from Oakland makes music so complex, yet with the clear, beautiful voice of band leader Hamilton Ulmer, the song, “Great Headless Blank”, floats effortlessly over the well-planned cacophony of the band (and cacophony is a complement in this situation.  Makeunder started as the solo project of bandleader Hamilton Ulmer, who crafted his first release, Radiate, Satellite, using a violin, saxophone, fatigued vocals and a small hand drum. Since then, Ulmer has rounded out the band’s lineup with Van Jackson-Weaver (vocals, guitars), Jill Heinke (bass), Samantha York (vocals), Mario Godoy (synths, saxophone), Carolyn Walter (saxophones, winds) and John Doing (percussion).  The addition of the other members has just helped present Ulmer’s slightly twisted vision of life.  “Great Headless Blank” demands many, many future listenings to untangle all the complex music themes going on.  In fact, I would liken Makenunder to one of Brian Eno’s solo CD’s where so much was happening.  I love a challenge; especially a beautiful one.  Thank you so much.