Hair and Skin Trading Company is the other two-thirds of what was once Loop. (The other third, guitarist Robert, has his own sonic spaceship to run, Main.) Surprisingly, both bands derived from Loop are more arresting than their predecessor. While Main goes spelunking in the nether reaches of the sonic spectrum, HASTC occasionally lets the sun shine on their bellies and bloodshot eyes. Their more varied approach goes a tad further in withstanding repeated airings. HASTC gets a bit more mileage from their instruments; they don't fixate on the "guitar riff with rhythmic support" formula so much as Loop. Being their second full-length (they have at least two other EPs as well), the consensus appears to be that this is the better of the two attempts. Over 60 minutes of music, a few "first-listen" catchy numbers, a fair dollop of experimental soundscapes and those things which land somewhere in-between. (Pat Johnson)