AMG Review of Auspicious Winds

Stephen Cramer
All Music Guide

On Auspicious Winds, Portland, OR's Yume Bitsu showcased why Calvin Johnson and K Records were interested in the quartet: The band's atmospheric brand of indie rock is powerful, cerebral, and intricate. Similar to Tristeza, the band intertwines extended instrumentals with Adam Forkner's composed vocals. The disc begins with the bright-sounding "The Wedding Procession." A festival of sounds at the beginning of "Doctor Trips" creates a complex and haunting second track. The instrumental "Mothmen Meet the Council of Frogs" includes a steady organ and harrowing drumming, in addition to a solo by Johnson. Some of the longer tracks run out of steam, but, in general, their length seems to be a necessity. More than anything, Yume Bitsu creates a relaxed and thoughtful mood with their songs. The disc comes to a close with "Into the Hole," on which Forkner sings from the start, as the band stretches out the experimental instrumentation of the song. Most of the songs were recorded with Johnson at Dub Narcotic Studio in June of 2000, while others were recorded at Radsoul Studios in February 2000.