Doug Scharin is a well known character in the microcosmic world of indie rock. His work with three critically acclaimed bands (Codeine, Rex, June of '44) has made his musical resume read like a who's who of post-rock. Around the time June of ’44 began, Scharin also started his own solo project entitled HiM, a project that is constantly expanding, growing, and continually pushing the envelope towards new and innovative sounds. Clocking it at 50 minutes with long post-rock free jams averaging around 7 minutes each, HiM’s latest, Many In High Places Are Not Well, stands at the complete opposite end of the spectrum in relation to his earlier works.
While Scharin may have indulged in minimal drumming before, he is all over the place in this record, taking cues from all types of musical influences such as: traditional jazz, rock, Latin, funk, and even some really smooth adult contemporary jazz elements. Adding to the eclecticism, Scharin recruits other well known musicians to add accompaniment, including members from bands like Mum, Isotope 217, Swans, and Mice Parade. Needless to say the album is a very complex listen and is not easily digested the first time. The experimental jazzy nature of the project is also difficult to grasp if one is more into traditional and more melodic post rock outfits such as Tortoise and 5ive Style.
While I can certainly appreciate Scharin's musicianship on many levels, in the end I find that both my mind and ear are more interested in hearing more melodic passages and less improvisation. If one's influences are such that the aforementioned material sounds relatively interesting, intriguing, and appealing and enjoy the unorthodox experimentation, than this release is something you may want to consider. Although this is admittedly not my cup of tea, I can certainly appreciate and applaud Scharin for another well-crafted, technically creative effort.
1. Elementals
2. Many in High Places Are Not Well
3. Slow Slow Slow
4. The Way the Trees Are
5. Perspective from a Slow Spin
6. Elope and Secede
7. Coming of Age