When

Film buffs will be more familiar with the name Vincent Gallo as the producer, director and writer of Buffalo 66, which incidentally he scored and performed the music for, being the Hollywood Renaissance man that he is. Staying true to his perfectionist DIY approach, When is entirely written, performed and produced by the multi-talented Gallo in his own self-styled University of Development and Theory of Magnetic Tape Recorded Music Studios (very flamboyant OTT name for his home studio).

This is sparse atmospheric music, equally utilising jazz, classical and electronica methods. You’ll know half way into ‘I Wrote This Song For The Girl Paris Hilton’ whether this is for you. Gallo scores delectably simple miniature masterpieces, but many will understandably dismiss this as pretentious muso wank. Sure, some of the posturings (and indeed song titles) are a little too extreme even by Warp Records’ ‘artier than thou’ standards. Similarly, Gallo’s quavering voice on the occasional conventional ‘song’ such as ‘Honey Bunny’ is an acquired taste to say the least. Overall it is a very interesting excursion in sonics, but unless you are a Warp completist or a subscriber to The Wire, you’d be better advised to seek more accessible pop thrills.