Album Review

Keith Canisius – Ferris Wheel Makeout

• 21st May 2009

Not content with his previous collaboration on the Rumskib album, Keith Canisius comes back for more dream-pop-shoegaze. Whilst it does bare some likeness to his previous effort, there are enough changes here to warrant it a separate arrangement altogether.

Whilst remaining in familiar realms, this work is also a progression in terms of Canisius’ stylistics and willingness to toy around with electronic sampling and mixing. The vocal work is as ethereal and floaty as ever it could be. It’s always a good idea to open your album with a track that sets the tone, and “The Sea Me, Feel Me” couldn’t have been a better choice. Light electronics and typical shoegaze distorted guitar work. The pop aspect comes out to the full in the catchy “Naïve Struggle” highlighting Canisius’ ability to master beyond string work and into a more synthetic world of music.

It’s a perfect blend of guitar distortion and electro writhing. Canisius clearly after this and his past efforts has become something of a “know it all” in the shoegaze arena.