Putois is the nom de plume Bob Mason has recorded under for the last decade. His unique blend of lo-fi, gloomy atmospherics and dark-folk leanings have garnered him attention among a small but loyal following. From his humble beginnings recording ambient / noise 4-track recordings onto cassettes, to his deeper experimentation and forays into the world of CD-R releases-Putois has always managed to sound unconventional by way of convention. His official debut, The Thinking Fireplace [Inner Flight Records], received a limited release but managed to make an impression at college radio. His latest record, The Problem Is Not A Problem Anymore, is wisely receiving a wider release this go-around.
The Problem Is Not A Problem Anymore centers on Putois’ minimalistic approach to acoustic based music; though his incorporation of headier experiments and more varied production elements, helps separate The Problem Is Not A Problem Anymore from the standard acoustic fare. Its Mason’s gothic induced, acidic vocals coupled with a darkened literary flair, that give rise to the unique nature of this music. Ending with a tortured piano instrumental called “The Lonely Traveler”, The Problem Is Not A Problem Anymore disappears into the thinning aether-a rustic harmonica line the only accompaniment to a solemn piano dirge that never quite resolves, never quite completes its story.
track listing:
01. Safe Again
02. Small Town
03. No More Dancing
04. Another Shade of Blue
05. The Problem Is Not a Problem Anymore
06. Our Stand
07. Something Wrong With Steven
08. Today’s Sun
09. Heart
10. CTA
11. Timekeepers
12. The Lonely Traveler
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
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