Rudi Zygadlo burst onto the scene with GREAT WESTERN LAYMEN, which takes elements of dubstep and gives sets them against retro synths, as with the opener, "Manuscripts Don't Burn" or the long 80s washes and wobbles of "Something About Faith." Zygadlo's vocals aren't the strongest, but he processes them enough so that they add plenty of texture. The swirling layers of "A Room to Sing" offer a thickness to that track, while "Filthy Logic" builds the vocals to a strange sort of chorale. "Song of Praise" has more of a rock attitude, even if there's nary an electric guitar to be found, whereas "Magic in the Afternoon" starts off like the Jaws theme, only to return to that wobble bass, which itself gives way to a piano line. The arpeggios on "Stop/Reject" add a dreaminess, and "Missa Per Brevis" kicks off with crazed free-jazz. A strange but intriguing album.

1 of the best yet 2010!