CD Review
Artist: Tagaq
Title: Auk/Blood
Release Date: July 29^th 2008
Publicity: Killbeat Music

Reviewed by: Leah Mertz (Edmonton/Calgary Correspondent - Canada) 

If Mother Earth had an anthem, Auk/Blood would be it. Tanya Tagaq's second studio release is one of the most unique sounding compilations of music I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. She is a throat singer, which is essentially a harmonic manipulation to the air sung through the vocal chords. The sounds she creates are raw and pure; furthermore, her use of the cello alongside the various movements creates a haunting aura of dramatic resonance.   

Auk/Blood is made up of many different audible fragments that translate into an interesting array of sound. The degree of complexity that the beats and harmonic changes are can often make it difficult to follow. Nonetheless, the track listing acts as an enticing guessing game challenging us as listeners to place the pieces together.  There are so many different synthetic layers involved, and some particular cases, a poetic rap is placed over the mesh of noise. Besides these interludes on tracks like ‘Gentle' and ‘Want', the lyrics on the album are far and few. The album relies heavily on sound effects and repetitive loops; I discovered the pulsating beats of drums still alive in my head hours after hearing this record.

Some highlights on the album include the track ‘Hunger', in which a more mellow instrumentation is highlighted by a soft poetic prose. Other tracks like ‘Burst' have pulsating beats with breathy vocals that create a deep and primitive sound.  

To be honest, this album should be listened to as a direct reflection of personal preference. This is not your typical ‘music', but rather a dissonant work of art intended to reflect intricate Native American culture. I interpret Tagaq's music as very out of the ordinary, but purposeful in that it dares a mainstream lovin' gal like me to go beyond what sounds ‘right' and acceptable. This would not be something I would slip into the CD player for some pleasure listening; I found it quite exhausting trying to keep up with the complexity and unfamiliar timbres.  

Track Listing:
1) Fox ~ Tiriganiak
2) Fire ~ Ikuma
3) Growth
4) Gentle
5) Tategak
6) Force
7) Growl
8) Want
9) Hunger
10) Burst
11) Blood ~ Auk
12) Construction
13) Sinialuk