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August 8, 2018 - Brainfeeder
Iglooghost has doled out a light and dark pair of twin EPs’, Clear Tamei and Steel Mogu, which have little patience for genre and an ambitious approach to composition. The result is a stern look from me as I chase the rapidly fading glow of my enthralled first impression. I can’t find a good reason for a maximalist to not like this. But for myself there are many reasons, the cardinal being Drum and Bass interludes.
The unintelligible lyrics throughout both EPs are, according to Seamus Malliagh (Iglooghost), the result of chatterings by the two beings after whom the EPs are named. The dual set details a battle between Clear Tamei and Steel Mogu, the former depicted in white opalescence and the latter black with red trimming and the fantasy-oriented villain scarf. These little fellas enter Mallaigh’s room and leave him bruised up and tired, by his own account. Personally I have a few lingering questions about this mythology. The warring beings come into Malliagh’s room inadvertently invited, and wreak havoc on his young lithe body. And it seems they come together, and either chirp in his ear or have a linguistic battle—the result being the lyrics.
At the moment, Malliagh has situated himself between a fantasy oriented producer of concept albums, which he denies (perhaps playfully so), and a recorder of true fantastical events; a bit of a Homeric figure. The songs are alive with organic chirps and the occasional baby muttering. Operatics and big band movements lend themselves to the epic ballad that is the unspoken war between Mogu and Tamei. The drum and bass moments take on a cheekiness the more the story and purpose behind the EP duo comes to light. A battle of lasers breaks the peaceful atmosphere of the baby god Tamei’s world.
Conversely, Steel Mogu mostly presents a dark foreboding maximal series of atmospheres which are disrupted by encounters with Tamei. Indistinct human vocalizations pervade both EPs. And fluttering woodwinds consistently give narrative lift to soft-core violence. Within each track is a beautiful track. Unfortunately for my sensibilities, each track is then marred with the rest of the parts of the track. To fulfill the fantasy that Malliagh is laying out, a visual representation is required. Without, it’s a big jerk around. Impressively composed, though overwrought. ⛰️