Mr. C - Lunar EP

Artist: Mr. C

Title: Lunar EP

Label: Wagon Repair

Catalog #: WAG059

Release Date: January 25, 2010

Rating: 5.5

Mr. C returns to solo work after a five-year hiatus with the Lunar EP. Not satisfied with his previous mode of production, Mr. C went into the studio completely alone for the first time and resurfaced with his own homage to our neighboring satellite.

On “Full Moon” the atmosphere and mood is apparent from the beginning. Deep and awe-inspiring synth pads lay the groundwork for a tightly wound bassline that becomes slightly lost in the barrage of clicking drum tools, though not in a detrimental way. When that groundwork cuts out completely, the bass is left to carry the vehicle and though small, the bass picks up the pieces and carries us home. Though I found the delayed and syncopated melody to be strikingly similar to something I would hear in Garageband, I had to remind myself that someone with production skills did actually write that music. I couldn’t deny Mr. C credit, especially on his first effort.

“Waxing” begins with the same “on the and of three” bass pattern though it is noticeably darker and more industrial sounding than “Full Moon”. It is almost as if I have come to realize that those aliens that brought me home in “Full Moon” have proceeded to tear me apart, piece by piece. The flash of bright chords gives me some solace, but that insect-crawling percussion has me all anxious. At least these aliens still like scary, deep techno, right?

Mr. C designed the final track, “Dark Moon” to be more of a main floor track that could be nestled in the middle of his set. Although it uses the same devices as the first two tracks, the energy created by “Dark Moon” serves a different purpose as evidenced by the booming bass. However, aside from that somewhat minute shift, I did not find much that I could not also apply to the first two tracks.

While the Lunar EP is a wonderful first outing alone for Mr. C, the tracks provide very little variety despite what the apparent concept may have been. Mr. C shows great promise and newfound studio independence, but future offerings will surely provide greater complexity and confidence.

Tracks:

1) Full Moon

2) Waxing

3) Dark Moon