NAMANAX – AUDIOTRONIC (CD by Relapse)
This new Namanax CD, I believe his third, is a hugh step forward. Th first
two were filled power electronics at their severe best, but here the
monotonous sound is taken into a new direction. This new direction comes
from two new influences: the 24 track studio (instead of home recording)
and the production and instrumental help of James Plotkin (Scorn, Young
Gods etc). There is still a hugh wall sound to be discovered here, but it
is much better recorded, with more eye for the detail and structure of each
piece. This CD takes noise into a distinct new territory and should
therefore be checked out by anybody keen on new directions in noise.
Address: <relapse@relapse.com>
THE HEARING TRUMPET/KNURL (7″ by Misantrophy)
>From the ever mysterious world of cassette making and home producing sound,
comes the ever active ‘The Hearing Trumpet’. On their side it seems s if
the lawnmower man himself is the leading man. A single drone which speed
changes sligthly throughout and in the background drops of sound. Certainly
intense, as you think something aweful might happen.
Knurl is the more convential noise stuff with an overkill wall of noise.
The clever thing is that he splits the two -channel – more fun on one side.
Said and done before, so not exactely my cup of coffee. (FdW)
Address: <misant@ic.net>
FLUX – PROTOPLASMIC (CD by Relapse)
O.k. I don’t care about rock music with pretty standard procedures and this
is just one. Flux is James Plotkin on virtual all instruments and female
vocalist, who just can’t sing. Boring, sorry. (FdW)
Address: as above
MORPOGENESIS – FORMATIVE CAUSATION (CD by Mycophile)
ADAM BOHMAN – LAST ORDERS (CD by Mycophile)
Adam is part of Morphogenesis, so we’re doing both CD’s in one review, also
taken the fact that they are both released on Michael Prime (of
Morphogenesis)’s label.
The story of Morphogenesis might be known: started out as a group of
friends interested in modern classical music, who eventually though of
playing improvised (aswell as composed) electronic music on a wide variety
of real and self-built instruments. Despite the fact that they are around
since 15 years of more, this is their 3rd CD. I have really no idea why
they release this particular set of recordings from 1986 (other of course
then they liking it!). The ‘typical’ Morphogenesis is a back drop of drony
sounds on top of which these boys start improvising their sounds. Blocks of
sound ar carefully placed next to each other, or superimposed over each
other. Nowhere this gets boring, as there is constant shift in sounds.
Effectively they explore the stereo spectrum (for instance in ‘Kaon’) which
gives a slight disturbing effect. Morphogenesis as a modern musique
concrete version of AMM might be the most apt description.
I wouldn’t accuse Adam of being an alcoholic, but he sure likes wines: all
8 titles refer to wine. The first piece is a nice drone piece, ala Illusion
Of Safety with wine glasses being played. As Adam is the man responsible
for strings in Morphogenesis, you can imagine strings play an important
role on his solo CD. And yes they do, but Adam treats them to a great
extent. This gives his music a vivid character. The only piece that didn’t
appeal to me, is ‘Days Of Sand And Shovels’, which is too much an improv
piece for my liking. However not a bad score anyway. (FdW)
Address: <mikep@myco.demon.co.uk>
SUBARACHNOID SPACE – ALMOST INVISIBLE (CD by Relapse)
And then they are everywhere. Subarachnoid Space just released on their own
label, on Charnel Music and now more on Relapse. This is music you should
like to love it. The fairly outdated psychedelic rock pieces may not appeal
to the young generation (but hey who knows). Another six lenghty jams of
the classic line up, in the tradition of the 70s and some 80s underground
(we keep mentioning F/i and Vocokesh in this respect). And although I don’t
consider myself old, I quite like this jam. (FdW)
Address: as above
SOLARUS – EMPTY NATURE (CD by Relapse)
>From the latest batch of releases by Relapse, this is the biggest surprise.
A collaboration between James Plotkin and Kipp Johnson that takes you into
trance and dub territory. Haunting stuff with voice samples dropping in and
out of the mix. Deep and intense. Certainly a true successor to the Scorn
of some years ago (before they turned really minimal). Dance music for
those who don’t dance – so it perfectely suits evrybody in the hot air of
today (and for me of course also the rest of the year). (FdW)
Address: as above
WIR – VIEN (CD by Touch)
I have never been particulary fond of Wire, despite many people saying how
experimental they were. For me it remained rock music. But over the years I
started to view rock music somewhat differentely, as a possible format for
experimental or drone music. This particular CD with 2 tracks, was
commisioned by the Austrian radio and starts out with a loop and humming
voices and droning guitars. Then beeps and reciting voices add to the
hauting atmosphere. Somewhere the drums drop in, and the rockformat is
there: voices become vocals, guitar play melodies and the drums tick away a
rhythm. Still not a bad piece. The second piece starts out likewise as the
first (maybe it’s a remix? You never know after all) and develops in the
same manner. Again not a bad piece at all. However, after interesting long
intros, still too much on the rock side of things. (FdW)
Address: <touch@touch.demon.co.uk>