h o m e

Ptolemaic Terrascope #37 (Magazine, UK)

Winter 2005

JOE TURNER: Between Two Seconds
Camera Obscura Records (CAM067CD)

Former Abunai! drummer Joe Turner expands his self-released debut EP ("Dollar Star") to full length proportions by adding four tracks, including a marvellous opening suite that consists of the swirling, spacey instrument 'Waking Dream' that segues perfectly in to the naggingly familiar pop refrain of 'When Will You Wake Up?'. Joe enlists some friends from the Boston underground, including his former Abunai! guitarist Brendan Quinn, two members of Bright (guitarist Mark Dwinnell and bassist Jay Dubois), and Turkish Queen flautist Ajda Snyder to compliment his three one-man-band efforts. There's even a touch of Elephantitus Sextus in the guise of cellist Heather McIntosh (of The Circulatory System, which is essentially Olivia Tremor Control minus Bill Doss). Not to worry, OTC fans, as Turner grabs Mr. Doss and hus current Sunshine Fix cohort Sam Mixon by the throat (literally) for backing vox duties on 'Turn Me Upside Down', the wonderful sunshine pop psych fix previously heard on the indispensible "Further Adventures of the Telepathic Explorers" compilation.

'Coordinate Zero' is an infectious slice of '60s bubblegum pop that'll have Beach Boys' and Buddah Records' completists grinning from ear to ear. If you are a fan of anyone from early '70s AM radio stalwarts like Steve Miller and Johnny Winter to late '90s pop confectioners like Witch Hazel Sound and the Elephant Six collective, then don't delay in finding a place for "Between Two Seconds" in your collection. (Jeff Penczak)