The Helio Sequence

Negotiations (Sub Pop)

Melt into the Helio Sequence’s fifth offering. Opening with the chiming sway of “One More Time,” which conjures the Walkmen’s charmingly subdued moments, and the dramatic melodic build of “October,” Negotiations develops spaciously, expanding with every song until it becomes enveloping. Brandon Summer’s warm voice matches the dreamlike swirl of his guitar, while Benjamin Weikel provides a stern rhythmic backbone that booms with a deep subconscious calm. An epic build courses through “The Measure,” even as “Hall of Mirrors” echoes too heavily amid the effects. Yet the Portland, Ore., duo delivers a masterful performance of pace and patience, tight and sparse and blooming with grandiosity, as with the transition from the meditating “Harvester of Souls” and hypnotic “Open Letter” to the bursting “When the Shadow Falls,” culminating in the closing, encompassing title track. (Sat., Orange stage, 2:10pm)

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This article appears in November 2 • 2012.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.