Bryan Day, who runs the labels Public Eyesore and Eh?, has built an incredible catalog of music since he began recording. Known for creating his own instruments, he’s even credited on Discogs as an “instrument inventor” probably the most accurate way to describe what he does.
This brings us to Pet The Tiger, a project that appears to be a collective of instrument inventors and experimental musicians. Their album Hail The Traveler could be described as “free music,” beginning with musique concrete style sounds before shifting into drone-like chants and eventually a more sing-song feel.
Personally, I really enjoy the experimental, chilled tone of many of the tracks. The vocal led pieces don’t resonate with me as much, though vocalist David Samas is clearly talented. I suspect I might appreciate his work more in a different context. That said, this is purely my perspective, and I encourage others to form their own impressions.
Tracks like Garden of the Gods are especially captivating and might be even more powerful if experienced live, watching the artists bring these unusual sounds to life. Overall, it’s a rewarding listen, and one I’ll definitely return to.