Cale Parks

Illuminated Manuscript

[4/5] Sometimes, a lack of words speaks much more loudly. Taking some time off from playing and recording with Aloha, multi-instrumentalist Cale Parks has decided to try his hand at a solo effort, and Illuminated Manuscript, in all its understated glory, is a perfect first step to a successful-and remarkably diverse-solo career. Save a few brief missteps (“This Garden Is A Maze” sounds like it was recorded as the theme song to a children’s show), the album, with its subtle electronica feel, has a lot to offer to those fed up with more traditional solo-album fare. The delicate, sweeping style and lulling instrumentation Parks creates provide an excellent backdrop for the occasional inclusion of his airy, fragile vocals, and the twinkle of the music never leaves your ear. And for the hour this album’s on, that’s all that matters. (POLYVINYL) Jordan Rogowski