Sully: Carrier - Album Review

Sully
Carrier
Rating: Grrrr

Sully, a.k.a. Jack Stevens, best known for the purple-jungle hybrid "In Some Pattern," quietly released his debut album Carrier at the beginning of November last year, and it has slowly inched its way deep into my subconscious. For one, it is a record that subverts expectations, beginning with some of the most detailed garage/2-step productions of the year, then subtly making its way down the rabbit hole, ending up focusing on the darker, more experimental side of UK bass music. The record starts out firmly in garage territory, kicking off with the one-two punch of "It's Your Love" which bounces off Burial-esque blocky beats, echoed vocal samples, and dub bass,



and "2 Hearts" which ups the BPMs, and manipulates the vocals almost to siren like levels. I really love all the little details going on in the background.



After then laying down the aforementioned track "In Some Pattern," which still intrigues, with its whip-smart drum programming, and blaring synths,



the album starts taking a darker turn. From the deep, pounding basslines of "Let You,"



the creepy, paranoia of "Scram,"



or the stuttering "I Know," which takes from Burial's vocal sample manipulations but makes them jittery and claustrophobic.



The back half of the album is all nervous energy and haunting atmospheres. There really is no way to tell what direction Sully is going on these tracks. Each one is completely different, and yet, still flows together well. From the delicate longing of "Trust," whose tightly wound vocal samples contrast sharply with the gentle pianos and washes of synthesizers,



to the clunky piano rolls and drum programming of "Bonafide" which morphs quickly into a lonely mix of synths and muted bell rings,



and winding things up with the Blade Runner cribbing "Exit," featuring moaning vocal samples and Vangelis-like keyboards over skittering percussion.



Carrier is a album that has a good entry point, and then takes you the most unexpected journey. It takes awhile to get the feel of the album down, as the experimentation of the back half tends to throw off the rather crowd pleasing beginning. But for me at least, that is why I love the album so much. If Sully had continued in the vein of the first few tracks, it would have been just merely a decent album, but the adventurous second half truly makes this album a great one.

Rating Scale:
Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.
Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.
Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.
Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.
Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.
Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.
Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.