Loop 2.4.3 are a group of Brooklyners who create ambient music in an abnormal way. This group of musicians, rather than using the standard guitar, keyboard arrangement to produce atmospheric sounds take percussion and warp it into a twisted tapestry of beats and bashes. Their album Zodiac Dust is a percussive exposition that demonstrates that rhythmic instrumentation isn't just for keeping rhythm.
Utilizing marimbas, drums, steel drums, dragon blocks, castanets, and just about every form of drum imaginable in addition to bits and bobs of piano, cello, and violin Zodiac Dust sounds like those age old Persuasive Percussion records from the 60's. The songs are dramatic, layered, colorful and brilliantly constructed so that while they are all played on percussive instruments they still have a sing song-like structure that your brain and ears can wrap itself around. Loop 2.4.3 have created an environment here where a simple vibration or mallet hit can be tuned into something much more useful and expressive and that's what makes Zodiac Dust so imaginative and compelling.
As someone who has been perpetually fascinated by percussion since the third grade, Zodiac Dust is a mind-blowing trip through every instrument I've ever wanted to bash, play, or make a song with. Of course, the difference between Loop 2.4.3 and me is that they can actually play those instruments and create epic, lush, works of art out of them instead of complete chaos. Zodiac Dust is a feast of sounds for the minds eye and the fact that Loop 2.4.3. does this with just two members, some sticks, and things that vibrate in funny ways is truly miraculous.
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