Evan Caminiti, one half of the Barn Owl duo, comes at us with his second chunk of wax and sixth overall solo outing.  It’s a triumphant follow up to last year’s “West Winds” on Three Lobed. “West Winds” was stunning with its traveling, soaring, and explorative qualities, but “When California Falls into the Sea” has another uniquely Caminiti characteristic. This one envelops you like a cozy bedspread. Whereas much of Barn Owl and Barn Owl related works seek to overwhelm with impenetrable curtains of amped reverb shrouds, this one is much more welcoming and familiar to the soul of the listener—at least to me. He has a way of making his guitar talk like a delicately intimate friend that shares in your isolated static dejection. Every footstep that each chord makes is a warm drifting blanket that draws near and wraps itself around you to protect you from the damp of this life. So safe, so secure. It doesn’t seek to forget the realities of darkness and despair, to sweep them under the carpet like they never existed. Rather, this finely plucked solace seeks to meet you where you are and shield you in the midst of such personal tribulation.  Like a warm cascade of hot cocoa filling your body on a winter’s eve. The cocoa doesn’t shut you off in some bedroom painted with scenes of sandy beaches to mask the fact that it’s the dead of winter, but rather enters sensually into your body and caresses you internally as the cold snowflakes kiss your face finding a momentary resting place before they’re gone by the dissolving of your body’s heat. Gentle moments of slight uplifting intoxication that come humbly to your rescue. Caminiti and Porras over and over again prove their worthiness as one of the best drone acts with every Barn Owl release. Caminiti impresses me with the wit and the wonder that only his fingertips possess with another stunningly magical late night expression. Only this guy can do what he does—time and time again. Thank you, Evan. I hope I can call you friend. At least through your music it feels like I’ve known you for many years. Perhaps because the reflective moonlit guitar ascensions resonate with the soul attached to every ear that is enchanted by your gift.
Handmade Birds is a new label that deserves the recognition too. They dressed this LP up in style. Everything is clothed in an ultra thick record sleeve that has mysterious moonbeamed art with a black dust jacket and matching heavyweight glossy insert. Not to mention, the LP itself is a beautiful white vinyl. Great addition to my collection and an even better boast to their catalog.
10/10
