TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA & SACHIKO M – UN (CD by Meme)
NERVE NET NOISE – 160/240 (CD by Meme)
MARK POYSDEN – HI-OCTANE ORGASM
REZNICEK – PLAYA NON-STOP
(Both 7″‘s on Meeuw Muzak)
LOST IN TRANSLATION – DOMESTIC BLISS (CD by Meme)
STEVE RODEN & BRANDON LABELLE – THE HOUSE WAS QUIET AND THE WORLD WAS CALM
(CD by Meme)
TABATA – BRAINSVILLE (CD by Elsie & Jack)
AUBE – PAGES FROM THE BOOK (CD by Elsie & Jack)
TOSHIMARU NAKAMURA & SACHIKO M – UN (CD by Meme)
Here’s yet another one of the five new releases on Meme this month. It is a
first collaboration between Nakamura and M, who have both played in several
other bands. Again we’re confronted with a quite minimalistic disc, as we
know it from Meme. On this CD the only sounds used are feedback from a
mixer and sine waves from samplers. So it’s not surprising that the first
track sounds like a piece by Ryoji Ikeda, but that’s only during the first
10 seconds or so. After that it takes on its own shape with high pitched
glissando’s and rumbling drones. The second piece is basically a reverb
feedback piece, and a bit too gestural for my taste. The third starts off
with a beautiful low rumble with a very soft high howling sound on top and
some crackles interfering with all this beauty (which adds to the beauty, I
might add). A pulse comes in and then it just goes on, changing shape all
the time. Delightful piece. The fifth one starts with feedback and is again
quite gestural, although not too much, i would say. Next up is a more
noisier sounding piece, mainly in the high frequencies and quite short. The
seventh piece is a drony piece with high synth tones, maybe even played on
a keyboard (!), but with a lot of restraint. Again a very gentle and
beautiful piece. The eighth one sounds rather ‘avantgarde’ (if you know
what I mean) and could have been left off as far as i’m concerned (but hey,
who am I?). The last track is a soft noise work (yes, that does actually
exist), and very very nice stuff. So, all in all, this is a CD that has
several sides and i’m happy to say that the good ones prevail. (MR)
address: <meme-@msh.biglobe.ne.jp>
NERVE NET NOISE – 160/240 (CD by Meme)
If I called the previous CD minimalistic, then we will have to come up with
a new word for this one. I don’t think it’s possible to put less on a
record (this can be considered a challenge, of course, but is not intended
as one). These guys build their own synths and do this in such a way that
they cannot turn them off anymore, it seems. Two tracks, the first one
consisting of a slightly distorted pulse (duration just over 31 min.)
without perceptible changes, the second one of a less slightly distorted
pulse (duration just over 31 min.) with another sound added after 22 min.
Actually i am puzzled by this release. Is this a conceptual work of sound
art that i am unable to understand? Is it ambient that cannot function as
such, because it is too irritating? Is it just a gag? As you can probably
tell by now, i’m not very clear about all this, which doesn’t really matter
as long as you like what you hear. But i’m not really sure about that
either….. (MR)
address: <meme-@msh.biglobe.ne.jp>
MARK POYSDEN – HI-OCTANE ORGASM
REZNICEK – PLAYA NON-STOP
(Both 7″‘s on Meeuw Muzak)
Meeuw Muzak is a label with a difference – and a rather unusual release
agenda, if these two colourful slabs of vinyl are considered in the light
of what has come (and gone) before.
The first of these two is a high quality location recording made in San
Diego in 1994. It was originally submitted to Meeuw Muzak for inclusion in
their forthcoming CD of cover versions of John Cage’s 4’33, but was
considered a powerful enough audio statement to come out as a separate
product. The title is quite appropriate – a suave and skilled commentator
slowly works the audience into a frenzy as two hi-octane cars warm
themselves up in preparation for a race which lasts all of 1.8 seconds. The
dialogue between spectators and the revving engines builds up in intensity
and gets increasingly more loud until the screaming cars zoom off to
tumultuous and totally (here it comes) orgasmic audience appreciation which
lasts almost a minute and brings this amazing piece to a close.
The B-Side is somewhat more sinister – it’s a recording at the same event
of a massive steel dinosaur, which slunk onto the field and unfolded (and
unfolded !) till it was the same height as the second or third stand in the
stadium. It was capable of changing speed at 50 miles an hour, could
breathe flames 30 metres long and easily pick up (roast, and bite in half)
the Ford Transits – and smaller Japanese delicacies – littered around the
arena. It was a by-product of Ford’s military research programme mutated
for good wholesome family entertainment. Apparently it made it to Europe.
The soundtrack which accompanied it’s ‘frolicsome activities’ over the PA
was constructed from a slice of orchestral music and a bass rumble so low,
it was emitted as distortion. The audience, which contained a lot of kids,
react to this particular performance in a considerably more subdued manner
than on the A-Side. Almost a soundtrack for the real Godzilla. Again,
marvellous audio clarity and perspective.
This release epitomises American (therefor ‘Western’?) cultural extremes –
total destruction as entertainment. Perhaps it’s a good thing though –
there might be a lot more kindergarten drive-by shootings if the frustrated
couldn’t divert their aggression through shows like these.
Both sides should be played as loud as possible, and if you have wealthy,
elderly relatives, give them headphones and spend their loot later. It’s
limited, for the moment, so don’t delay, get your today ! (LW)
The second 7″ is a completely different kettle of fish – and it bears some
similarity to the (equally perverse) 7″ on this label by Felix Kubin titled
‘Antarktis Slow Rock’ (sold out !). This is Reznicek’s first release with
the Manuela Boys and it’s much more musical than lots of his other solo
stuff.
Imagine, if you will a chance meeting between The Residents and Ry Cooder
after he’s been quietly pickled in Tequila – they are all wearing sombreros
and sitting on top of cacti. There is no pain – of course, this has nothing
to do with the enormous amount of mescaline they consumed a short while
before – they just like sitting on spiky poles. A thoughtful passer-by must
have given them some instruments because they are winding themselves up
into unholy life. Fragile drum patterns pitter-patter at their feet trying
to avoid actually settling in the hot sand and ensuring themselves
permanent visits to the pedicurist. A weeping guitar joins their anguished
lament as the burros chew their cracked lips and flick at flies.
Get the idea ?
Another unusual (and limited) audio gem which should bask in the shade on
your shelf – creepy blue colour ‘n all. Hurry up ! (MP)
address: <laridae@xs4all.nl>
LOST IN TRANSLATION – DOMESTIC BLISS (CD by Meme)
STEVE RODEN & BRANDON LABELLE – THE HOUSE WAS QUIET AND THE WORLD WAS CALM
(CD by Meme)
Also part of Meme aggressive release campaign is the first CD by US
dronists Lost In Translation. I had the pleasure hearing some of their
works on cassette before, so I kinda knew what to expect. Their lengthy
experiments involve traditional, layered guitars and synths. Although it
can be classified as ‘minial’ for sure, it bears trademarks of
improvisation aswell. And that’s were my main objection comes in: some of
these pieces are too lenghty and too sketchy to hold the full attention
span. It works in a piece like ‘Deep’, which slowly builts around pulsating
synths, but in ‘Bliss Out’ it drags around too much with echoes coming in
and out. So this one leaves a mixed feeling with me.
Steve Roden and Brandon Labelle could be more household names for you…
Steve as In Be Tween Noise and Brandon as id battery. Here the present a
fine work with a rather programmatic title: it seems they went in the
studio on a quiet and sunny day and they improvised together, using a lot
of small sounds, contact microphones and maybe some odd electronica here
and there. Recognizable elements (like children’s toys, metal and stones)
pop up and are researched for their tonal qualities in rather short and to
the point pieces. It reminded me, how odd probably, a bit of the Kapotte
Muziek live sound: the subtle scraping, touching and moving around of small
objects. Indeed a quiet and calm disc. (FdW)
address: <meme-@msh.biglobe.ne.jp>
TABATA – BRAINSVILLE (CD by Elsie & Jack)
AUBE – PAGES FROM THE BOOK (CD by Elsie & Jack)
Tabata is one of the guitarists from ZeniGeva, the japanese power noise
trio, and just like the frontman KK Null, doing solo music on guitar. This
CD ith eight tracks left a good impression with me. It’s powerful guitar
sampling, collage like and stomps back and forth to noise and ambient. Add
an usual dash of humour (is that a banjo on “Hello Brainsville”?). A good
CD that is on the fringes of a lot (post rock, industrial, collage,
ambient) but with enough of it’s own to be a standout.
Ignored, sadly, by us, is the ripping bible to pieces CD by Aube. So we get
a second chance. Although we can be relatively short: very ambient and
subdued sampling with deep end bass sounds and is along previous Aube discs
such as the still number one ‘Metal de Metal’. Not bad, but staying a bit
on the safe side for me.
Address: <info@elsieandjack.com>