Išm unsure of the intentions behind Burner, the intriguing new long-player from Cincinnati-raised producer odd nosdam (aka D. Philip Madson). While densely instrumental and abstract, this third solo outing Madsonšs first since the somewhat disharmonious disbandment of left-of-centre hip hop super-group, cLOUDDEAD also appears to be making direct, tactile observations of contemporary urban existence. Hip hop only by definition, Burner possesses a vivid, almost cinematic visuality one which sees Madson infuse his whirring, downbeat tracks with a vast, diffuse collection of field recordings and sample fragments. Abstracted street soundscapes infuse deep opaque layers of keyboards, synths and down-tempo beats. Recordings of street violence, traffic, laughing children and city sounds sit sometimes uncomfortably, alongside highly listenable, melodic and ambient pieces (Small Mr Man Pants, Clouded, Upsetter), reminiscent of Boards Of Canada and the like. A number of the tracks have a sinister, disconcerting quality (Untitled Two, 11th Ave Freakout Pt 1), and although not articulated verbally, Madson seems to be passing clear comment on contemporary social conditions, even political climates. Therešs a real sense of candidness to the record, despite its more disparate and non-figurative qualities. But Burneršs key characteristics also make for some challenging listening. Madson isnšt spelling out a linear, easily defined cultural, political or musical objective. Luckily, nor is he playing us. While there are no clear answers, neither are there dead ends. With cameos by Mike Patton, Andrew Broder and former cLOUDDEAD band-mate Why?, Madson rewards those listeners with persistence. Those willing to navigate their own way through his collage of pulsing drones, swathes of bass, shards of static and wondrous moments of shimmering, ethereal melody will be glad they did. [Dan Rule]