Sorne - "House of Stone" (2011)

Sorne is a laptop/vocals/percussion artist from Austin and gives me some mixed feelings.  I'm generally not a huge fan of bands that rely on laptops instead of guitars etc..  And at first listen Sorne sounded pretty identical to the hoards of pretentious 20-something white dudes with weird haircuts and laptops that have emerged in the last few years. 

BUT after listening to this album a few times, it turns out that the songwriting is pretty darn good.  Shamanistic vocals snake through complex rhythms and odd time signatures, while backing vocals soar and pounding drums and electronics drive through tribal rhythms.  The overall effect is mystical and a little unsettling, but absolutely memorable.

The album is long.  It gets off to a slow start, and there are some dull moments.  But when things pick up, Sorne is totally satisfying, evoking Dirty Projectors / Bjork / Sting at his most tribal. 

Sorne tours as a 3-piece (vocals/laptop and two fantastic drummers).  The 6-7 awesome songs on House of Stone plus their live show cements them as an act to keep your eye on, in my book. 

House of Stone is available on Sorne's BANDCAMP fo' $free.99.