Catspaw

Released in 1986 on the influential Audion Recording Co. label, Catspaw represents a pivotal moment for Emerald Web (the duo of Kat Epple and Bob Stohl). While their earlier work leaned heavily on pure analog synthesis, this album integrates early digital sampling and the Lyricon (an electronic wind instrument), allowing for a more 'orchestral' palette that includes sampled violins, cellos, and percussion. The album is structurally anchored by the sprawling 'Fog,' a track that exemplifies their ability to create immersive, long-form environments. Critics often point to Catspaw as a high-water mark for the duo, showcasing their Emmy-winning compositional skills within a progressive electronic framework. Its recent re-evaluation by the ambient and vaporwave communities has highlighted its 'shimmering' production and its unique position as a sophisticated, tech-forward evolution of the American new age movement.