The fragile vulnerability of Canton native Ben Kamen’s Invisible River project feels like a natural evolution of the Indie rock introspection of bands like Sebadoh and Arab Strap. Glacial guitars move slowly through the ten compositions comprising Invisible River, while Kamen’s voice and lyrics deftly weave his personal tales around the music.

            Joined by “The Hot New Ringtones” – Evan Hashi (Twig Palace), Andrew Dorsett and Markly Morrison (both of the K Records band, LAKE), the album is an impeccable examination of pensive songwriting and experimental sound sculpture. From the chimes that open “Wait & See” to the feedback effects on “Do You Feel Any Better?” Invisible River displays a more adventurous musical tableau that most “Indie rock.” This is the charm of Kamen’s songs, the crossing of fresh sounds and age-old stories of love and loss.

            Falling in the middle of the album, “Clouds & Snow” is a fantastic example of this interaction. Light drums and meandering guitar drones back a strong vocal that conjures the feeling of slogging through a bleak landscape with only your thoughts and memories to keep you warm. It’s an elegant and sad dirge that still seems to sound hopeful when all is said and done. The windswept sounds of the guitar and effected background vocals heighten this visual representation in your mind.

            However, not all is slow moving in Kamen’s world, as the furious percussion of “Hundreds of Times Over” demonstrates. A small tornado of drums provides the bed for a declaration of devotion, punctuated intermittently by energetic stabs of distortion and falls of shimmering guitar. The long, spacious march of “Walk Away” comes near the end of the album and combines much of the previous components into a gorgeous masterpiece of reflection. A light plucking guitar, Kamen’s heartfelt voice, and subtle bass start us down the path.

            Soon joined by almost-not-there-organ and bold washes of noise and drones, the eight-and-a-half minute piece is given room to stretch out and enfold the listener. A passion play of confidence lost and regained unfurls throughout this space and when the climax comes, it comes as a shock of furious strumming and careening distortion before dissolving in a lilting guitar outro.

            Invisible River is available now from Anonymous Monk Records and you check out the lead song from it at www.anonymousmonk.com

-Keith Pishnery