8 tracks. Running time 57:51 Justin Robert's music is heavily influenced by spirituality and dreams. Besides releasing albums he's also written some film scores and performed live. His recent album Manasota is ambient in a similar vein to Oenyaw's output; and he says that love is the single guiding force in making this album. Judging by the CD cover I think the album title is a reference to Manasota Key - a barrier island off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The first track “In the only way that it is real” is atypical. While the rest of the album is a blend of seemingly barren ambient, drone, and a dash of psychedelia this piece is melodic. See-sawing guitar notes quickly lull the listener into a relaxed mood while unobtrusive bass notes and pads form a gentle melody. The pace slowly increases before a searing drone line comes in, nearly washing everything else out. Hard edged drones feature on many tracks, sometimes sounding like processed or distorted guitars. This is particularly notable on “Bleeding” where back and forth refrains act as a simple melody overlaid on a carpet of distorted fuzzing sounds. And on “Sun” almost uncomfortable noises like cello, guitar, and other string instruments being scraped form weird yet somehow fascinating drones. It's as if we're seeing something through the haze of a dream during unsettled sleep. Whereas some works convey feelings or impressions through tunes or evocative sounds, Manasota acts on a different level. There's something difficult to pinpoint about the structure of the music that seems to act more on the subconscious than conscious level. Maybe it's the use of simple rhythmic and melodic elements. Manasota is an interesting work that deserves listening past the first impression of hardcore ambient drone to discover the subtleties and clever use of piquant sonics.