Ernest Gonzales
Been Meaning to Tell You (FoF Music)
Reviewed by Austin Powell, Fri., Jan. 29, 2010
Ernest Gonzales
Been Meaning to Tell You (FoF Music)San Antonio's Ernest Gonzales is the latest in a long line of electronic artists empowered by Pro Tools, constructing microinstrumentals with detailed precision. Following his collaboration with former Alamo City mixmaster-turned-Austinite DJ Jester the Filipino Fist on 2008's Get Busy, the artist formerly known as Theory of Everything evolves on his second LP, Been Meaning to Tell You, a 13-song album that balloons with an expanded edition, which includes a coffeetable art book and 16 remixes. Gonzales weaves a seamless listen, from the beatboxing collage of "Dancing in the Snow" and Nintendo trance of "Falling Asleep to the Glow of the Television" to sedated closer "Upon the 49th Day." His instrumentals resemble the narrative efflorescence of Lymbyc Systym, often juxtaposing light, hypnotic guitars against propulsive trance beats ("We Can Live in the Forest"). The effect is akin to sleep paralysis: Your mind wants to move, but your body's not ready. (EG appears at the Independent @ 501 Studios, Saturday, Jan. 30.)
