

One of the masterminds behind the experimental Black Dice, Eric Copeland has released numerous records that are sometimes hard to separate from his band’s in their inscrutability. On his fourth solo album, Limbo, Copeland seems to be following the Dice into slightly more accessible, digestible territory. It’s a rhythm thing here, keeping the songs from flinging off their orbit into completely mind-snapping, surreal black holes. And the repetition—as twisted and distorted as it is—makes it fairly easy to grab hold and lock in. The first track, “Double Reverse Psychology,” goes through several metamorphoses in eight minutes: a comfy, vintage reggae rhythm melts into a demonic-vocal nightmare soundtrack before settling into a clattering, skittering percussion loop. Yet the tune stays on rhythm, lulling like a train chugging along on its track, and its charm is measurable. The buzzing oscillations of “Louie, Louie, Louie” stick to a plucky, stringed bit of funkiness. A politely squawking saxophone and looping grind make “Fiesta Muerta” a strangely irresistible tune for dancing (though perhaps awkwardly). One word: fun.