This banner year for new and infectious solo guitar music continues with this stellar EP from Shane Parish. Three short tracks packed with ideas and powerful connections. In the space of roughly 10 minutes, Parish draws on a host of influences from John Cage to Chinese Traditional music, stretching the limits of possibility with his guitar. “Coagulate” clanks and rattles through recognizable scales played in unrecognizable ways. Whatever guitar preparation Parish is using, it’s discordant and captivating. On the exquisitely titled “Anything Helps,” lamentations steeped in cold blues tradition waft up from the floorboards, a simultaneous plea and thank you wrapped into stolid notes. Parish is one hell of a guitar player and this new EP is a poignant reminder. I look forward to hearing what future rotten fruits these sessions bear.
