Malcy

Malcolm Craig—Malcy for short—has been looping, mixing, singing, and drumming in his home studio for the last three years. Spinning out of these sessions comes his debut solo album, Tall Grass and Rocket Ships. Half of indie rock band The Aubreys, Craig has departed on his own bearing in search of more psychedelic sounds. Clutching drumsticks and a handful of patch-cables, he has steered himself and his listeners into a brilliant daydream. A drummer at heart, Craig’s rhythmic sensibilities underlie all his work. This album has a heartbeat, which above all, carries the listener through. Sometimes hammering, sometimes pattering, and occasionally silent, there is a method to all the madness. Like its creator, this record is unique. It is moving if you let it be—and strange if you’re into that. Through all of this pierces its undeniable sincerity, an abiding honesty that pervades all of Craig's music. Craig has always cared about music, but he cares about the parts that count. He cares about the parts that take effort and time. This album is three years in the making. Of all the time Craig spent shaping this record, those three years spent more time shaping him. Stepping into his own solo work, Craig has made a confident and exciting first entry. Tall Grass & Rocketships is a promising beginning, and a spaced out, surprisingly tender listen. - Matthew Cheeseman