Following the break-up of tribe, AJ Robb immediately started to record "as-if". Having just moved into a Wrigleyville, Chicago coachouse with (then) Souled American manager Dave Hawkins, Robb transformed the attic into a makeshift recording studio. The album concept was to create a "sound diary", eschewing standard recording methods like isolating sounds in favor of capturing unaltered ambient sounds. Using a Tascam cassette recorder, microphones were hung from the beams, and PZM mics were velcroed right onto the roof interior. The result was an uncanny soundscape, emotionally powerful, and ...

a groundbreaking Lo-Fi classic. "as-if" was recognized by music critics as something special, and merited a "Top-Ten" rating for 1990 by the Illinois Entertainer.

The album feautures Robb's experimentation with Folk music, utilizing a Mandola, Dulcimer, and assorted open tunings for Guitar. Two songs on the collection came from tribe: "Busy, Busy, Busy", and "I Seen Tom Joad". The latter was recorded live at Idful Studios by Brian Deck in tribe's last performance- a recording session party. "Tom Joad" features Old Town School players Jimmy Tomasello (gtr) & Tony Dale (drums), and assorted waltzers who danced in the room while the track was laid down.

Additionally, 3 tracks came from an all-night improvisational session, fueled by a wild ice-storm amplified by the roof, w/Robb & Hawkins being thereby inspired- the mics capturing it all.

We'll be posting these tracks over the coming months, and are planning a limited digitally re-mastered release in 2010

1). "Ardst Thou Pale?"
2). Beads of Sweat
3). Deemed Inadequate
4). Enzyme Fog
5). Solitaire
6). This
7). Feb. 13th, 1990
8 ). Busy, Busy, Busy
9 ). I've Seen Tom Joad
10 ). Lullaby-Blissy Rest
11). The Long Haul

Song of the Month download: "Ardst Thou Pale?">>

Illinois Entertainer review of "as-if", by (then) Editor, Michael C. Harris

"a musical landscape so personal, so emotive that it's hard to talk about it in the standard language of a review"

Chicago Sun-Times review, by Dave Hoekstra:

"...at times almost tactile, the sense of immediacy is startling"