Justin Carloni took three years to complete his last recording, but found new focus this past February when he recorded an entire CD in 28 days. Carloni completed the task along with many other regional musicians who took up the RPM “record an album in a month” challenge this year. The result is the gorgeous Sadheel Records release “Transference of Ions,” a self-described album of “analog four-track tape hiss music” that cleverly explores the nooks and crannies of the human experience. Carloni employs an interesting and diverse pile of gadgets from around his house in addition to bass guitar and the acoustic and classical guitars that he strums or fingerpicks through most of the album.

he plucked “Wedding of Charity and Sam” sounds like a charming outtake from Dylan’s “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” soundtrack, with layered melodies and harmonies hummed over the guitar and rhythm of hands rubbing together. “Dry Leaves” finds Carloni looping the sounds from some of his child’s toys, Tom Waits-style, into a choatic beeping and clicking rhythm as he sings over the acoustic:  “I just don’t have your patience / I’ll breathe fire on your dry leaves / Set your place ablaze dear / And tear you away.”

From the laid-back and low vocal delivery of “Sweet Evergreen”—toy glockenspiel shimmering—to the Wilco-esque “Death to Bean-Counters” complete with bleating trumpet, “Transference of Ions” is full of smart songs. The interesting and multi-layered arrangements which should make for enjoyable continued listening for a long time to come.