by Jim Brenholts
Mark Hunton weaves acoustic instruments around and through electronics and processes to create gentle and subtle atmospheres on Annapurna: The Towering Sky. Spotted Peccary has a goal of creating new music native to North America. Hunton's list of instruments is long -- there are at least 33 different instruments on this CD. Such diversity is expected from the melting pot that is North America. The cultural diversity of this continent is wide and music native to this land must have many different influences. Diversity, however, is no excuse for overkill. Hunton has sacrificed musical integrity for diversity. Indeed, there are some great moments on this disc, but there are some weak moments as well.