Today in our Obscure Picks feature, we focus on Ceramic Thickets, and their self-titled Album. This was their one and only release, before disappearing into total obscurity, until now…
The Ceramic Thickets album was released 29th of November 2021 on Bandcamp, only. As far as we can tell, little promotion took place and, as a result, the album received no airplay at all. Which is quite a shame because, clearly, a lot of work went into this DIY production.
After a little detective work, the internet’s wayback machine unearthed some coverage. Part press-release, part lacklustre review, here’s some snippets of what what said:
“The three members of Ceramic Thickets met when working at a local garden centre in their native town, Ebbsfleet in the South East UK.”
“The songs are performed by Marcus Leary on rudimentary, improvised-kit drums; Aidan O’Brien plays muted bass and electric guitar; and Lucy Blender provides plucked nylon guitar and piano, with all three members contributing to backing vocals.”
“Leary’s post-production blends haunting electrostatic elements in and out of focus. The approach captures natural moments, complete with human error. We get a sense of the domestic space this was recorded in.”
“Although not entirely beat-driven, a sparse, medium tempo drum machine is often employed, and replaced, in some instances, by household objects. Although this is not obvious. The detail is intricate, and refrains from being too ‘in your face’.”
“The arrangements are romantic, cinematic, with eloquent melodies. Though often they wouldn’t sound out of place providing Sunday service in the church of the disenchanted. The album as a whole doesn’t fit neatly into a specific genre. But the overall style is lo-fi DIY.”
“The recordings are fragile, held together by a thread, that threatens to fall apart at any moment. That, in itself, provides a dimension of suspense for the listener. Perhaps that’s what makes them stand apart in this world of perfect production.”
Perhaps it was the dull review that was the nail in the coffin for them. How transient, the life of a band can be.
And so, we show some love and attention for Ceramic Thickets, a wonderful name, and a unique, if downhearted album.
You can find Ceramic Thickets on Bandcamp, here.