Castanets

Basically the brainchild of one Raymond Roposa, Castanets makes what he calls “derailed pysch-country.” Who am I to disagree with such astuteness? Cathedral is country as in western desert, sun-fried, things done in rural county shacks you don’t want to know about. Equal parts Daniel Johnson and Syd Barrett if each were raised on Willie Nelson, Roposa mixes his worryingly whispered vocals with acoustic guitar, found objects and even some horns just to keep you guessing. Surprisingly pretty and desolate, Cathedral is engaging in a twisted sort of way. “Baby, I don’t know where the hell I am,” Roposa sings on “No Light to Be Found.” No one will know this place either, but it is an interesting, scary and ultimately satisfying locale.