Ally Sheedy has blossomed wonderfully into her "Big Chill" years. Back in the '80s, she was the lovable tomboy, like in that movie with the talking robot, and that one with Molly Ringwald's panties (no, the other one with Molly Ringwald's panties). But now, man... wow. When I saw "High Art" I had new appreciation for her... uh... acting. Now she's a temptress.

Similarly, Shudder To Think have shown a completely delicious new side to their music. Their soundtrack to "High Art" is comprised mostly of eerie dub soundscrapes and minimal landscapes. It teeters on the edge of ambient, but lies closer to Brian Eno's Music For Airports than to Windham Hill's fictional classic Music From The Elevators Of Hell. Its songs seemlessly waft samples, synthesized symphonics, and deep grooves that definitely belong in one of those beautiful, grey, stark, slow- moving indie- flicks. (And no, I'm not talking about "Clerks.")

For some really strange reason that probably comments on my disturbed psyche, High Art sounds like the result of whales playing trip-hop and indie-rock-- it floats. Put a stainless steel conch- shell up to your ear in a museum, and this is probably what you'd hear. Mmm... waves n' stuff.

Like most ambient records, High Art is probably best appreciated as background music to your daily life. In this case, I wouldn't suggest cleaning, cooking, or humping to it, but instead, try putting this on as a nice spice to the everyday meditating, writing, tai-chiing, or cuddling. Don't even try to deny it-- you know you do all that shit when no one's looking.

-Brent DiCrescenzo