Bay Area duo Brian(Fraser)_and_Chris(Palmatier) was formed in 1996, and released the eponymous cd in 2002 (This Record Label) and "Vectors" (Megalon) in 2003. They're responsible for The Recording Studio (Oakland, CA), started in 2002, as well as for intensive djing for WXYC college radio. I haven't listened to the previous releases, only to the recent (and impressive) contribution by Palmatier to the Dielectric Minimalist All Stars double disc. But "Palimpsest" is totally different, of course. brian_and_chris mix rhythmic electronica, breakbeat and (post-?) rock with a taste for easy-listening, but thoughtfully composite tunes. I could compare them to Tortoise circa-"TNT", but much more "rock", in a wide sense. A positive thing is that you can't easy recognize what is played, programmed or sampled, and the four tracks work really well in this sense. Melodies are memorable but not banal, and while I usually can't stomach breakbeat, the rhythmic thing is well managed and varied. "I can hear it in my truck" has some funky guitar giving way to almost epic riffing, mating with nostalgic piano passages; "Crossing (LP mix)" is more jazzy and obscure, with glitches, fractured beats, live drumming and a noir piano - but then again, the guitar adds a catchy riff, and the last part is a sort of upbeat, rocking instrumental. Definitely my fave. A successful release, which should appeal both to the IDM-electronic and the indie rock crowd.