With GAVIN CASTLETON’s ambitious record, you might as well call him SUFJAN STEVENS. While he released a boatload of music when he was in GRUVIS MALT, CASTLETON is already putting out his fifth solo release in the past two years. And he’s got three more planned for this year alone. As a part of a deal with Five One Inc, the man will be releasing a series of three EPs and a full-length in 2007, beginning with the digital-only release in question here, Hospital Hymns. With this particular EP, CASTLETON has composed five unique songs driven with a mix of electronic effects, tons of rhythm, various instruments, and his soothing falsetto. From the inherently eerie sounds of “Dialysis In G Minor” to the rhythm and blues of “Women’s Care In E Flat Minor” to the “gentle breeze” feeling of “Maternity Ward In G Major,” CASTLETON covers a lot musical ground in Hymns‘ fifteen-minute running time. In addition to creating a pretty great atmosphere, CASTLETON’s lyrics take on the persona of a “76-year-old stockroom worker in a hospital whose spirituality makes his coworkers uneasy.” Yeah, how’s that for an original concept? Joking aside, he sings in the persona quite well as listening to his lyrics really gives off the idea that he’s a deeply spiritual person. From listening to Hospital Hymns I get the idea that CASTLETON is a fairly intelligent guy. His instrumentation and stories are too good to disprove that. Altogether, Hospital Hymns is a piece of music that is definitely worth hearing, even if I’m at a loss on how to adequately tell you why.

Five One Inc

www.fiveoneinc.com