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VITAL WEEKLY
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number 474
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week 19
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BEHRENS/HEYDUCK - PLASTIC METAL (2CD by
Antifrost)
TSURUBAMI - SHOHJOHKISSHOHTAN (CD by C3R Records)
VEND - WIEL (CD by Line)
DAVID KRISTIAN - THE MARIANA TRENCH (CD by Oral)
DJ METHODIKAL - ALARMINGLY LO-FI (CD by Wordclock)
TAYLOR DEUPREE/KENNETH KIRSCHNER - POST_PIANO 2 (CD by 12K)
MARTIN TETREAULT/LEON LO/KAFFE MATTHEWS - LABO MTL (CD by Oral)
GREG KELLEY - I DON'T WANT TO LIVE FOREVER (CD by Gameboy Records)
JOE COLLEY/MIKE SHIFLET (split 7" by Gameboy Records)
SCENIC RAILROADS - OUR ART YOUR NAP (CDR by Gameboy Records)
GINO ZARDO/JANEK SCHAEFFER - WALKING EAST (miniCD by Alluvial
Recordings)
2PARTIMOLLITREMOLANTI (miniCD by Wallace Records)
EAR NOW - FRRR (miniCD by Wallace Records)
POLVERE (miniCD by Wallace Records)
FOUR GARDENS IN ONE (miniCD by Wallace Records)
61 WINTER'S HAT (miniCD by Wallace Records)
TANGATAMANU - LANDING TALK - LE ZATTERE DEI SENTIMENTI (miniCD
by Wallace Records)
CLAUDIO ROCCHETTI - I COULD GO ON SINGING (miniCD by Wallace Records)
FLOPPY - MU (3"CD by Testing Ground)
GRINDCORPS/ASS CAVANERN (split 7" by Jigokuki)
ASHIAIP (7" by Jigokuki)
BOLLOCK SWINE - EMPRESS ORCHID'S JOOBACHI QUANTUM DRIVE ENDICTMENT
COMMITTEE (7" + CDR by Jigokuki)
-7"EP + CD
LO FI OR DIE/TGS (10" by Jigokuki)
NAPALMED - STRIDENT ABRASIVE AURICULAR EROSION (LP by Jigokuki)
GAJ MUSTAFA CELL-STAFF INFECTION (7", self released)
EARZUMBA - AFUERA DE LA NARANJA (CDR by Audiobot)
CHEFKIRK - TRANQUIL DEATH PHENOMENON (3"CDR by Retinascan)
EVERY KID ON SPEED - GLITCH OF THE GLITCH (3"CDR by Retinascan)
MAKUNOUCHO BENTO - VITORU EP (3"CDR by Retinascan)
JOSH BROWN & CARL KRUGER - WE ARE NOT WANT QUIET (3"CDR
by Retinascan)
KAKAWAKA - COMPUTERPUNK (CDR by C+H Productions)
16 BITCH PILEUP/CHEAPMACHINES - DRY ROT/DAMP ROT (CDR by Authorized
Version)
BEHRENS/HEYDUCK - PLASTIC METAL (2CD by
Antifrost)
If you ever you opened a plastic box with say cookies, you may
have noticed the nice sounds such a box can make. You are not
the only one. Marc Behrens is such a guy too. Behrens is in the
world of microsound a half-god, with his careful processing of
electro-acoustic sources, such as plastic and metal. He shares
this passion with Nikolaus Heyduck, an artist who works with audiovisual
media since 1978 and who produces mainly sound and video installations.
On this double CD they work with plastic bags, bubble-wrap, chocolate
and medicine packages (CD one) and metal sounds, 'while cleaning
up Behrens' cellar one day' (CD two). If you know Marc Behrens
previous music, than you know what to expect, even when it is
collaborative recording with the relative unknown Heyduck: carefully
processed sounds, in which certainly the plastic element is quite
lost on CD one. It's hard to trace back the origins of the sounds.
On CD two the rusty metal drum sets, built in 1991 and oxidizing
ever since, are clearly to be recognized, but as the CD progresses,
computer techniques take over. The nice thing is that both CDs
are divided in shorter pieces, each with it's own character and
idea, making the entire package into a well-varied thing. Another
fine work of microsound, a case to study for the followers...
(FdW)
Address: http://www.antifrost.gr
TSURUBAMI - SHOHJOHKISSHOHTAN (CD by C3R
Records)
Perhaps you are familiar with the Acid Mothers Temple and their
leader Kawabata Makoto, who plays guitar? Then perhaps you are
also aware that Makato plays music, perhaps all day, in various
line up variations of Acid Mothers Temple, and Tsurubami is a
trio out of that line of projects. With Makoto on guitar, Emi
Nobuka on drums and Higashi Hiroshi on bass. Three tracks, two
close to seventeen minutes and one over twenty-two, this is heavy
free form improvisation music. With psychedelica as the main driving
force, these three work through a particular forceful set of space
jams. Music that probably makes sense if you see it live, loud
and vicious, in a small, packed venue and the take of any sort
of drugs is probably also welcome, but at home, on a sunny monday
morning, sipping coffee, this is too spaced out and out of control.
Maybe I should try again in the evening, with the headphones on
full force and beer at hand. Certainly not bad music, but probably
unlike others for some occasions, and not for every moment of
the day. (FdW)
Address: http://www.c3r.ca
VEND - WIEL (CD by Line)
So far the previous releases of Vend were all on 12K, but all
inside the warm nest of a compilation, here however they appear
for the first time on their own full length CD. Vend is Joe Gilmore,
who might be known for his work with Rand()%, an automated net
radio station or his work with Powerbooks For Peace, and Alex
Peverett, whom I don't know, but who produces installations, music
and video works. Vend is a laptop duo and as that they operate
within strict boundaries. Almost like predetermined they use all
the usual ingredients of microsound: the crackles, the processed
acoustic sounds, feedback and deep bass thrill. As such they are
quite good at what they do, there should not be any mistake about
that, but it all sounds pretty predictable too. Music and sound
like this appears on similar CDs in the Line catalogue aswell
as many outside that label, but strictly inside microsound. At
this point in time, I think it should be good to reconsider the
whole microsound thing and think of the answer: 'where to next?'
(FdW)
Address: http://www.12k.com
DAVID KRISTIAN - THE MARIANA TRENCH (CD
by Oral)
In case you forgot: the Mariana Trench is located in the Pacific
Ocean, near Japan and it's the deepest location on Earth, created
by plate tectonics (i.e. the crashing of earth plates against
each-other). It's also the title of a new work by David Kristian,
the Canadian musician who always takes me by surprise. Many of
his works play around with rhythm, but on this new CD, rhythm
is entirely absent. Kristian recorded two lengthy improvisations
during a snow storm, using a toy synthesizer and classic guitar
effects, which were later on edited and processed further until
the seven parts of this CD came together. A deep listening experience,
but with a somewhat more raw touch than a standard ambient work,
and that's what I like about it. The rawness of the material,
the sheer minimalist approach, the subtle variations. It is work
to listen to in a darkened room, or at night with the curtains
open, so you can watch some stars. The seven parts form a unity
and this is a particular strong album. Maybe it will not appeal
to Kristian's rhythm posse, but it surely appealed to me. (FdW)
Address: http://www.oral.qc.ca
DJ METHODIKAL - ALARMINGLY LO-FI (CD by
Wordclock)
Not much information is given about DJ Methodikal, but basically
it's one guy, one drumcomputer and a computer. The label describes
as something that is linked to post-IDM, Pierre Schaeffer and
Techno Animal - and that covers about anything in electronic in
the say the last sixty years. The eleven tracks on this fifty
minute CD leaves the listener paralyzed in his chair - or down
on the dancefloor. Breakbeats form the major part of this CD,
with weird sounds flying in and out of the mix. This is heavy
duty music. As a none-dancer I dare not imagine people could actually
dance to this lot, but maybe I wrong. The beats are super fast,
but spliced together with great care, almost methodical. Certainly
not music that is easy to digest, as things fly by with great
speed and a healthy dose of aggression. A moment of rest is much
needed after this, even when the final two tracks are relatively
calm... (FdW)
Address: http://www.wordclock.com
TAYLOR DEUPREE/KENNETH KIRSCHNER - POST_PIANO
2 (CD by 12K)
This is the follow up to 'Post_Piano', which appeared on Sub Rosa
a couple of years ago. Kenneth Kirschner is a man who loves the
sound of a piano. Recently he got the piano in his studio on which
he started to play it, when he was five years old. But his studio
is mainly electronic and not suitable to record acoustic instruments,
so here the piano recordings must be seen as field recordings:
the piano, the space it's located in and all the extra sound that
runs high and low around the studio. The basic recording was then
handed out to Taylor Deupree, who composed three longer pieces,
keeping a balance between the piano sound aswell as the environmental
sounds. In the final stage, Kirschner and Deupree edited the material
together, so we can say this is collaborative work. Although computer
processing plays no doubt a big role on these recordings, one
could easily say that this is an ambient album, one that could
fit the tradition of Brian Eno very well. The sparse piano notes,
send of to space, bouncing back and the ambient sounds of the
environment. In '01.09.2005' the computer treatments take control
and the Eno-element is moved to the background. But in the other
pieces this sounds very much like a twenty-first century Eno/Budd
record, and that is a compliment. Here the update that microsound
needs (see Vent review) works well on the ambient level. (FdW)
Address: http://www.12k.com
MARTIN TETREAULT/LEON LO/KAFFE MATTHEWS
- LABO MTL (CD by Oral)
The recordings on this CD were made at Radio Canada, under the
guidance of Helene Prevost who curates the Labo MTL program. Two
of the three musicians may be well-known: turntablist Martin Tetreault
and Kaffe Matthews (electronics) are both renowned players in
the world of improvisation. Leon Lo is the unknown one. He plays
violin and effects here. As you can imagine this is music from
the department of 'careful crackling': the stylus of Tetreault
hitting the surface, Matthews static sounds and gliding tones
and the electronical treatments of Lo's violin, it fits perfectly
the traditions of new improvisation, where electronica and acoustica
meet up. In that respect this is nothing new under the sun, but
this trio of excellent, skilled improvisers perform their work
with great care. The only objection I have, is that it's all a
bit too long for my taste. It requires some intense listening
here and sometimes my concentration failed. A little bit shorter
and a little more precise editing would have enhanced the CD even
further. (FdW)
Address: http://www.oral.qc.ca
GREG KELLEY - I DON'T WANT TO LIVE FOREVER
(CD by Gameboy Records)
JOE COLLEY/MIKE SHIFLET (split 7" by Gameboy Records)
SCENIC RAILROADS - OUR ART YOUR NAP (CDR by Gameboy Records)
To the Europeans the name Greg Kelley may not mean that much,
but in the USA, especially in the north east area, he is a well-known
improviser, with such groups as nmperign, The BSC, Heathen Shame
aswell as duets with others, such as Mike Bullock. He plays trumpet,
but on his solo discs, this being the third solo release, the
sound of the trumpet is far away. The sound sources used here
were recorded during a tour with Bullock in 2002 and in concert
in 2003. All of these recordings are taken to the computer, where
he precisely edits the material into a single thirty minute work,
taking the listener into various moods. This is not a work of
improvisation by any means, but a work of composed musique concrete.
Using crackles, noise, feedback and time stretching, the sound
of the trumpet is removed, replaced, altered and changed. As influences
he cites, on the cover, Harry Pussy, AMM/MEV, Vigilance cassette
(Chocolate Monk) and Walter Marchetti, among others. That may
seem like an odd combination of sorts, but they do make sense.
Sometimes Kelley is very subtle, and sometimes he beats the hell
out of his instrument and the subsequent processing. Less subtle
than his previous CD on Rossbin (see Vital Weekly 336), but a
big surprise. A powerful work.
Labelboss Mike Shiflet appears on the next two releases. The first
is a split 7" with Joe Colley, formerly known as Crawl Unit.
On the cover is says it's composed 'from minidisc archive materials',
whatever that may be. The piece is collage of noise sounds, static
charges and analogue tape-processings (well, perhaps, it might
be a computer too). In four minutes, Colley ranges from louder
segments into a nice looped ending. Shiflet's '4 a.m. With Chris
And Dan' was recorded on a radio station after a long day, in
which Shiflet already performed twice. His piece is much more
single handed focussed on a steadily more amplified buzz. As the
piece progresses the beast in the machine wakes up and urges the
speed to go up. Maybe more monotonous, but as powerful as the
Colley side. Bright hopes for the noise in America, these guys.
Scenic Railroads is a laptop duo of Joe Panzner and Mike Shiflet.
Their first CDR release, also for Gameboy Records, 'We're Serious'
was reviewed in Vital Weekly 434. Stylistically they continue
that release on this new one, meaning many obscure field recordings
and careful cracklings. In 'Snoring' they sound like a doubled
version of Fennesz. The opening piece 'Nod' however is for me
the highlight of the release: here they combine their laptops
into a finely woven tapestry of drone related sounds, which work
on quite a dynamic level. Just like the previous one, this is
nice glitchy, somewhat noisy microsound. Not great, but nevertheless
quite alright. (FdW)
Address: http://www.gmby.net
GINO ZARDO/JANEK SCHAEFFER - WALKING EAST
(miniCD by Alluvial Recordings)
Gino Zardo is a photographer and field recording artist, and perhaps
that is the same thing. Taking photographs of people and/or environments
is the same as recording their sound. This mini CD is the result
of a travel through the North Western provinces of India, the
Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. In the booklet we see his photography,
which is quite nice. The sounds recorded while en route were handed
out to Janek Schaeffer, who edited the music, into a nice collage
of ethnic sound - a soundpicture of the Third World. For me an
area of the world that I haven't visited before, but which I know
from previous releases in this area, starting with the Touch cassettes
up until the Indian Soundscapes on Soleilmoon. In that respect
it doesn't add something new to either field recording or knowing
more about the cultures the recordings come from, but nevertheless
its a well done release. (FdW)
Address: http://www.alluvialrecordings.com
2PARTIMOLLITREMOLANTI (miniCD by Wallace
Records)
EAR NOW - FRRR (miniCD by Wallace Records)
POLVERE (miniCD by Wallace Records)
FOUR GARDENS IN ONE (miniCD by Wallace Records)
61 WINTER'S HAT (miniCD by Wallace Records)
TANGATAMANU - LANDING TALK - LE ZATTERE DEI SENTIMENTI (miniCD
by Wallace Records)
CLAUDIO ROCCHETTI - I COULD GO ON SINGING (miniCD by Wallace Records)
A label I never heard of, with no less than seven mini CDs, all
by artists that I likewise never heard of. Labelmanager Mirko
releases anything that he likes, thus crossing boundaries of improvisation,
rock, noise, folk and what else. These seven mini CDs are released
as the Wallace Mail Series and each comes in a nice envelop like
package, silkscreened and sometimes with hand made features.
The series opens with 2partiMOLLItremolanti, being Xabier Iriondo
(member of A Short Apnea and Six Minute War Mandness among others
and who plays guitars, tapes and live electronics) and Marco Tagliola
(who plays with Marco Parente, Sepiatone and Scisma on PC and
tapes). Their idea is to melt various musical elements together,
elements which are not that common, like rock, musique concrete,
electronics and Italian melodies. The CD opens with a strong and
energetic drone like piece of reversed sounds, until they fade
over in what must be 'the Italian melodies'. The elements are
presented in a linear form, rather than a melted one. The second
piece, 'Mannesmann!... L'Incantatore', is more based on guitar
loops, concrete sounds and vocal screams, but despite it's intense
sounds, less convincing.
The same Xabier Iriondo plays as Ear Now, together with Alberto
Morelli. Together they play a variety of instruments, mainly all
sorts of keyboards: piano, harmonium, fender rhodes, melodica,
farfisa organ but also guitars, sea shells, radio and records.
The result are six pieces in which vaguely the drone is the main
instrument, but embedded in a more musical form, with tinkling
piano notes, guitar strumming and the sound of an old gramophone.
And as Polvere Xabier Iriondo returns again, now with Mattia Coletti,
playing acoustic and electric guitars, percussion, organ, glockenspiel
and much computer treatment, both in real time and afterwards.
Here the music becomes more much freely played, loosely improvised,
even when there is apparently some treatment going on. Polvere
keeps a fine balance between improvised acoustic sounds and computer
treatments in all six, sketch like pieces. I doubt wether a full
length CD would still be of interest, but as a miniCD it is indeed
quite nice.
A bigger line up is to be found on Four Gardens In One, four persons
playing guitars, cymbals, tapes and treatments (and of course
Xabier Iriondo is one of them). Their group improvisations evolve
around mainly loose guitar sounds and could perhaps be described
as postrock, but unfortunately they were all a bit undirected,
without too much structure. Things can of course be too loose
also...
The fifth release is by Fabio Magistrali (of A Short Apnea and
Microapocalypse) and Mattia Coletti (of Sedia, From Hands and
Polverde), aka 61 Winter's Hat. They play a rather free version
of singer songwriter stuff, dwelling on drums, guitars, vocals
and organ sounds, but all in a rather free mood, not caring too
much about melody or rhythm, or a bit of false singing. But the
result is quite introvert playing, especially in the opening piece
'Life In Circular Julies', with it's singing and obscured field
recordings. Quite a nice one.
The sixth release is by Tangatamanu, aka Alberto Morelli on a
bucket load of instruments and Stefano Scarani, also on many instruments.
This is the most modern classical in approach. Both pieces (divided
in smaller sections) were created for two installations by Studio
Azzurro, of whom both composers are a member. Bowed guitars, bamboo-flutes
aswell as computer processing play an important role on these
recordings, in which they show their skills to produce a highly
intelligent sense in combining 'real' and 'unreal' instruments.
Quite intense, imaginative collage music with a strong sense of
dynamics.
On the final and most recent addition to the series, I finally
recognize a name: Claudio Rocchetti has a couple of solo releases
aswell as 3/4 Had Been Eliminated (see Vital Weekly 388, 390 and
423). This is perhaps the most experimental release of the lot.
In one piece Rocchetti uses field recordings, audiocassette, turntables
and radio and in the other turntables, objects and mouth. This
is the most subtle release of the lot too. Rocchetti's music hoovers
most of the time at the threshold of audibility, with careful
cracks of the turntables and obscured hum from various, hard to
identify, field recordings. The two pieces are put together with
great care and are demanding a lot of the listener, but it's a
particularly strong release. (FdW)
Address: http://www.wallacerecords.com/
FLOPPY - MU (3"CD by Testing Ground)
From the so called Bside Project series of 3"cds
on the label Testing Ground, here is a new EP by for me a new
artist Floppy aka Andras Katai. It's the most rhythmical and dancey
music I've heard from the series and the label so far. Kind of
retro sounding in the second track 'Bastardo', like some music
from the Aphex Twin's 'Classics' cd. It's a quite great track,
even for dance djs to play it in a club. Things go down-tempo
in the next track 'Dt. Hacker', still kind of old- or retro-fashioned
and flavored. Then the shortest last track 'Dr. Alien' is perhaps
the most idm-oriented, maybe how Autechre would have sounded in
the 80s. And the first track 'Wonderful' is an intro. A quite
strange release. I guess the most I like the more up-tempo sound
of the second track. (BR)
Address: http://www.testinground.com
GRINDCORPS/ASS CAVANERN (split 7" by
Jigokuki)
ASHIAIP (7" by Jigokuki)
BOLLOCK SWINE - EMPRESS ORCHID'S JOOBACHI QUANTUM DRIVE ENDICTMENT
COMMITTEE (7" + CDR by Jigokuki)
-7"EP + CD
LO FI OR DIE/TGS (10" by Jigokuki)
NAPALMED - STRIDENT ABRASIVE AURICULAR EROSION (LP by Jigokuki)
Occasionally music lands on this desk that is not really my thing.
Not because I don't like it, but something that is from such a
different world that I find it hard to relate to it. These five
releases on Jigokuki are such releases. I'll try to do my best
in describing them, even when some of the text on the website
is in a English language that I haven't fully mastered yet. Grindcorps
are Kryzt on guitar and voice and Paul on bass and voice. Their
sound is ultra-fast, with the bpm far over a few 100, but somehow
lacks the power, due to the not so great recording quality. On
the other side is Ass Cavern, being Donkey on voice, programming
and guitar and Vangel on guitar (just on one track). Ultra fast,
total over the top drumcomputer, guitar fuzz and screamy vocals.
Drill 'n bass grindcore.
More punk influenced are Ashiaip who offer no less than eleven
tracks on their 7" records. Apperentely they are from Finland
and have an even more lo-fi sound, the drums sound like recorded
in the kitchen. Here too, the speed and energy bursts out the
speakers, and like with so many punk records, the pieces are a
bit interchangeable.
Bollock Swine is Donkey of Ass Cavern on vocals and guitar, Kikanju
Baku on drums and Snooty Th Uterus Kid on vocals plus 'four drunk
screaming Korean nymphs on vox'. This is more free form improvised
punk with so many people screaming their hearts out. It's basically
a mixture of anything radical in music: noise, grindcore, free
improvisation, breakcore and what have you. Short and maniacal,
both on the 7" aswell as on the CDR.
On a bigger size, a 10", is a split by Lo Fi Or Die and TGS.
Lo Fi Or Die have a mostly electronic sound, very loud and noisy,
with feedback. They probably like their Merzbow collection, but
mix it with again superfast beats, so fast that they become almost
like a backdrop drone. Actually I quite enjoyed this. TGS on the
other side have a likewise electronic sound, but goes into breakcore
territory, with grindcore influences and vocals. Destruction rules
here. The recording quality of this lot is much better than on
the 7"s.
After which the Napalmed release is actually the more quiet one.
Napalmed are from the Czech Republic and have been around for
quite some time. The recordings here are from old cassette releases
and re-mastered thereof. Napalmed plays more conventional noise,
with the distortion pedal on, and microphones near a bunch of
metal plates and other assorted means to make noise. Less grindcore
than the other releases on Jigokuki, this is indeed more like
old school industrial music. Recording quality is not always great,
but the intention is good. A weird bunch. (FdW)
Address: http://www.jigokuki.net
GAJ MUSTAFA CELL-STAFF INFECTION (7",
self released)
A new Louisville, Kentucky group who is one of the best bands
I have heard from in this area. The concept is quite simple with
Gaj Mustafa Cell: pure, simple and quite original punk/noise rock.
Armed with guitar, organ/clavinet, drums, spat out vocals and
adrenaline, G.M.C. is playing a raw and unique style of music
that hasn't been heard since maybe the post rock darlings Slint
blessed Kentucky. Aside from Ayin, I think this band is a shining
light that has outshined virtually every other area group in a
span of just a few months. Seeing them live is a beautiful thing.
The guitar player, Aprile Oster is a mysterious individual who
is
dressed up in a Muslim styled outfit with veil and plays along
with furious abandon. The vocalist, Pat Thompson is a frantic
shouter who dons a cape made from a McDonalds flag and incites
the crowd to go crazy along with their mad music. The organist,
Brian Foor is a sight to behold, nodding his head in time with
the discordant chords he is bashing out while wearing a Shriner,s
hat is a topic of curiosity. Keeping this wonderful noise all
together is the drummer Tony Bailey, who is quite possibly the
most powerful and talented drummers in Kentucky. Their three song
7- inch Staff Infection is all they have at this point since they
are a newer band but it captures their ferocity well enough for
any listener to know that Gaj Mustafa Cell is one band to look
out for. (CN)
Address: <gajmustafamail@yahoo.com>
EARZUMBA - AFUERA DE LA NARANJA (CDR by
Audiobot)
The work of Earzumba was previously reviewed in Vital Weekly 413,
with that odd 'two CD's pressed on one disc'. Earzumba is the
work of Christian Dergarabedian (a one time member of Reynols,
now living in Barcelona) and here on the Belgium Audiobot label
he releases another full length, yet limited release. Christian
plays a variety of instruments, ranging from acoustic guitars,
bass, tapes, voices and most of all the sampler, which acts as
the blender to cook mix mash all the sounds into a highly vivid
sort of electro-acoustic music. The plunderphonic element noted
on his previous CD release is less apparent here, and it is replaced
by a more musique concrete styled music, but everything is based
on loops, and is less complex than say the average academic musique
concrete lot. The best track here is 'Amoroso Triangulo', with
a funky bass line, not unlike say DJ Spooky or old 23 Skidoo.
A well varied release, with changing moods and atmospheres. And
unlike the previous, this is just long enough to make it much
more balanced and once it's over, you could think: a pity, would
have loved some more. (FdW)
Address: http://www.freaksendfuture.com
CHEFKIRK - TRANQUIL DEATH PHENOMENON (3"CDR
by Retinascan)
EVERY KID ON SPEED - GLITCH OF THE GLITCH (3"CDR by Retinascan)
MAKUNOUCHO BENTO - VITORU EP (3"CDR by Retinascan)
JOSH BROWN & CARL KRUGER - WE ARE NOT WANT QUIET (3"CDR
by Retinascan)
A new series of 3"CDR releases on Retinascan, called 'The
Noise Smalls' dealing with various kinds of noise music and of
course the unavoidable Chefkirk is present here. He has three
tracks on his 'Tranquil Death Phenomenon', which is everything
but tranquil. However, to put this down as 'just another' Chefkirk
release doesn't justify it entirely. Chefkirk goes again a little
bit further in the world of glitch and rhythm, and actually puts
on an intelligent collage of noise and rhythm but also with quieter,
introspective moments - maybe even a bit of ambient. Slowly Chefkirk
is refining his sound.
Toni Dimitrov is the man behind Every Kid On Speed (or Every Kid
On Acid, Sound_00 and much more). The glitch promised in the title
is very much a present feature on this. Damaged CDs provide the
sound-material for this release, but these sounds are heavily
processed inside the realms of computer techniques. The tracks
at the beginning are heavy-weight blasts of noise, but towards
the end things calm a bit and makes this into a well enjoyable
noise release.
I never heard of Makunichi Bento and unfortunately the URL on
the cover is unreadable to check out more information. The six
pieces on his release takes the listener into a more straight
forward rhythm 'n noise. Sometimes leaning towards the industrial
areas, and sometimes towards techno. Although this is an ok release
in it's kind, it didn't do much for me. None of the tracks could
really excite me really, as tension seems to remotely present.
Carl Kruger had releases before on Tib Prod and here he teams
up with one Josh Brown. Eleven tracks in twenty minutes, that
is almost like a punkrock thing. Together they explore the areas
of computer noise versus plunderphonica. Taking sounds from the
internet, radio or some-such, they transform it into total mayhem,
including feedback. In terms of noise, probably the most hectic,
frenzy and chaotic and therefore the most noisy work in this lot.
Perhaps also the best of all. (FdW)
Address: http://www.retinascan.de
KAKAWAKA - COMPUTERPUNK (CDR by C+H Productions)
Of course the idea of computerpunk is lurking in many areas, but
the artist called Kakawaka actually did it. He has been making
noise since 2001 and 'Computerpunk' is his second release, where
he is using a mouth harp, voice, toy keyboards and of course a
computer. No less than sixty-six tracks are to be found, in just
over fifty minutes. Lengthwise this is indeed punk. Most of these
tracks are mere sketches or ideas, rather than well-worked out
pieces, but that's of course punk too. The music is quite noisy.
What else can be said, other than that the material didn't do
much for me? (FdW)
Address: http://www.chproductions.de
16 BITCH PILEUP/CHEAPMACHINES - DRY ROT/DAMP
ROT (CDR by Authorized Version)
Many of the releases on Authorized Version deal with noise and
these are, operating in different angles, no different. 16 Bitch
Pileup is 'Ohio's own all-girl wall of noise' - a five piece band
of turntables, vocals, feedback, found objects, bass and keyboards).
They present 'Dry Rot', a twenty-one minute opus of distortion,
feedback, feedback and distortion. Pretty much a standard variation
of the recent Merzbow stuff, perhaps of similar quality as the
Japanese master on an ordinary day. The piece is reworked by Cheapmachines,
aka Phil Julian of Authorized Version, into 'Damp Rot'. Cheapmachines
have produced a great deal of CDR releases, and many are filled
with noise, and this piece is no different. Perhaps in some analogue
treatment version (although noted are 'dusty boxes, laptop fakery,
computer magic'), this seems to be an even more lo-fi version
of the original.
As said on a different noise angle is the N Collective, a wide
group of people from The Netherlands (although many come from
abroad), recorded one night last year at Amsterdam's Steim studio.
They operate under different group names. The first is Office-R(6)
with Koen Nutters on bass, Robert van Heumen, Jeff Carey (both
laptop), Sakir Oguz Buyukberber on bassclarinet, Dirk Bruinsma
on saxophone and Morton J Olsen on Percussion. I am not blown
away by this piece: the wind-instruments seem to play the regular
odd shapes and the computers are pushed to the back too much.
A pretty wild, but also pretty standard piece of improvised music,
as can be heard on many improvisational jams around the world.
Then there are two tracks by Thai On Top. The first is percussion
duo by Olsen and Matthias Engler. A quiet piece with some intense
playing. Introspective. When in the next piece Andrew D'Angelo
on bass clarinet and alto saxophone joins it returns to the first
piece, that of pretty standard improvised music playing. The last
piece is by Phô, a trio who released their CD on Humbug
a little while ago (see Vital Weekly 441), and who continue here
with the furious sound of two drummers and flutes. Where Office-R(6)
fail, Phô succeeds in putting on a harsh, noise concert
with improvisational means. The studio was more intense due to
better recording, but this gives a nice idea too. (FdW)
Address: http://www.a-version.co.uk
Correction: the band Crates, reviewed last week, is actually called Crater and the label is C74 and not Cycling 74. Cycling 74 is the name of the umbrella organization that all the stuff falls under, like developing software and releasing CDs.