Speaking sacred without saying a word
Electronic minimalist Ethan Rose reveals the beauty residing in the noise around us. The ambient symphony and inspiration of Oaks tethers on a local Portland roller rink and its 1920-era Wurlitzer theater organ that Rose helped repair and recorded samples from. “On Wheels Rotating” glides along as if on thin sheets of ice over a frozen lake. “The Floor Released” whispers pristine piano tinklings and humming organs. Rose uses his film-scoring resume to float you through Oaks'' cinematic snow globe of introspective wonder, transforming organic sounds into something sacred. [4 out of 5 stars]