Wave Field, released in 1995, was a
departure from the first album into new
composition methods involving the dirty
textures of rock guitar, sounding in the open
ears of many listeners (like Jim O'Rourke,
who issued the disc in the US on dexter's
cigar) as a synthesis of disparate elements-a
nexus where Alvin Lucier, Sonic Youth,
My Bloody Valentine and Eno blend
together. Here, the clangorous potential of
the guitar was emphasized, giving a metallic
edge to the two extended pieces and "radio
edit" coda. The jacket paid subtle tribute to
My Bloody Valentine, which, along with
the radio edit, suggested a harmony between
musical directions as wildly disparate as
minimalist experimental and rock. Today, such
a paradoxical intent is more widely considered
as a part of the artist's purview. This allows the
sounds of Wave Field and Sound Mind Sound
Body to sit perfectly among the forward-
reaching music of today-as it continues to
evolve in our ears, moving ever towards the
next conception of listening space.