Six Organs of Admittance

Listening to Six Organs of Admittance feels like finding a hand-drawn map to a place that no longer exists. Ben Chasny’s guitar work is the grounding force, often starting with intricate, Fahey-esque fingerpicking that feels sturdy and traditional. However, there is always a shadow lurking at the edges of the frame. The music frequently gives way to swirling feedback, harmonium drones, and percussive clatter that suggests a spiritual or metaphysical search beyond the notes themselves.

What makes this project distinctive is the intentional friction between 'civilization' (the structured guitar) and 'wilderness' (the encroaching noise). Chasny doesn't just play folk; he deconstructs it using avant-garde techniques and esoteric philosophy. Whether he is using his 'Hexadic' system to randomize compositions or recording on a dusty four-track, the result is a sound that feels both ancient and dangerously new, capturing a specific brand of American mysticism.

Start with 'For Octavio Paz' if you want to hear the pure, crystalline beauty of his acoustic playing. If you are feeling more adventurous, 'Dark Noontide' offers a perfect balance of melody and experimental murk. For those who want to hear the project at its most electric and aggressive, 'Ascent' showcases the influence of his time in the heavy psych band Comets on Fire.