While based in the D.C. area, Sansyou's new record was recorded in Hawaii, Las Vegas, and elsewhere. That gives Spaces in Between a new flavor, as does the addition of vocals on a few of these new tracks. Kelli Miyahira of Natto Princess takes three of these six new offerings to new heights.
While "My Moving Parts", an instrumental, is similar to past successful Sansyou servings, the Saint Etienne-ish title cut is a marvel. That one, and the moody "Due South Pacific" find Kelli's vocals taking the guitar of David Nicholas closer to the sort of Britpop and alt-rock that so clearly inspired Sansyou. Elsewhere, the durable riffs of "Every Rung" seem more like those of a mid-period Ride single than Durutti Column. Sansyou, as always, places a premium on a central hook or idea rather than on just creating an ambient mood. And drumming however unobtrusive from Kelli Scott of Failure giving these pieces just the right level of heft to keep them from feeling too ethereal. Still, given the Cranes-y appeal of "The Undertow", this fan might say that the vocal tracks here are the best things Sansyou's released to date.
Spaces in Between by Sansyou is out now. Details below.