southern records

An ambitious long player, the first side of Windsor For the Derby's, Calm Hades Float starts off as a waltz that sound as if it's stuck in a locked groove before mutating into an airy ambient piece (with producer Adam Wiltzie from Stars of the Lid sitting in) that howls and moans pure evil. A headache-inducing kick drum signals their mutation into a Kraut-rockingish unit that brings together guitar, Farfisa, and drum pads to create unsettling and sad dance music.

The second side rarely repeats the first's maneuvers and a more guitar-based rock unit is evident (incidentally, no bass guitars were used on the recording, which was tracked live). From the flowing opening track to the more sinister final cut, this is a band unafraid to experiment. If you turn up the volume between songs, you'll realize that there are no breaks in sound on the record, as ambient mics in different parts of the open-windowed house pick up dogs barking, street traffic and the like.

The first pressing of 750 copies of Calm Hades Float includes a one-sided flexidisc of an early recording (this track is not found on the CD).