rick reed: the symmetry of telemetry

Elevator Bath and Sedimental are honored to co-release the newest work from legendary Texas-based electronic musician Rick Reed, arguably the linchpin of Austin's experimental scene for the past few decades. Reed's distinguished reputation has been justifiably lauded and this new collection of works is thus cause for celebration. The Symmetry of Telemetry, Reed's first new release since 2018, was recorded at his home studio during 2020 and 2021. Reed employs Buchla and Moog synthesizers, organ, vocoder, and found radio sounds. "I've long been fascinated by the radio" says Reed. "But usually more atmospheric blasts like short wave static, rather than accidental juxtapositions of ironic voices or music." Reed's mastery lies in his matchless ability to combine these disparate elements into tightly organized audio collages, each bearing his stamp of singularity. The resultant album contains three new stories conveyed as highly distinctive, personal electronic music. Side A's "Dysania" is an atmospheric rumination on the lethargy so prevalent during the early days of the pandemic. Tinged with melancholy, it is an occasionally serene but deceptively complex study -- and one of Reed's finest compositions to date. Side B kicks off with "Space Age Radio Love Song," a dense pastiche of Buchla bleeps and bloops with frequent radio interruptions and a ring-modulated vocal coda. It's a varied and surprisingly vulnerable construction, a love song in its essence. Side B ends with the moody and intriguing "Leave a Light on for Tony," dedicated to the great artist of light projections, Tony Martin, who passed away the same day Reed finished this piece. The gorgeous artwork on the album's cover consists of two recent paintings by Reed, the most fitting visual accompaniment imaginable for his music (and vice versa). The images are presented here on a heavy, full-color jacket with spot gloss printing, designed by Colin Andrew Sheffield. The vinyl is housed in a poly-lined inner sleeve with beautiful full-color labels.