If ever there were a difficult band to pin down, Kayo Dot is it. The group's website describes them simply: "Kayo Dot is an experimental rock/modern composition ensemble currently based in New York City." That's correct, but it is also far too generic a term to capture them accurately. Kayo Dot was born form the ashes of prog-metal band Maudlin of the Well. Originally a quintet, KD began its recording career with Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik imprint in 2003, this was followed by Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue on Robotic Empire in 2006, with three members leaving the fold, and vocalist Mia Matsumiya joining the rank and file with original members Toby Driver and Greg Massi. 2008's Blue Lambency Downward produced by Randall Dunn finds the band on Hydra Head, reduced to just Driver and Matsumiya with a slew of guests including saxophonists Skerik and Hans Teuber with Charlie Zeleny playing drums. Dunn helps out on sound effects and synth design; there is a pair of cameos by percussionists Dave Abramson and B.R.A. D.. Musically, the set is bookended by two pieces in the ten-minute range -- the title cut that opens it and Symmetrical Arizona, that closes it -- with five shorter pieces in between that range from over six minutes to just under three.

1		Blue Lambency Downward
2		Clelia Walking
3		Right Hand Is the One I Want
4		The Sow Submits
5		The Awkward Wind Wheel
6		The Useless Ladder
7		Symmetrical Arizona

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