AnalogNoiseMaster The Aural Enthusiast (Parafago)

AnalogNoiseMaster`s aesthetics and ideology seems overtly to hark back to those days when full-electronic scoped krautrockers kicked off proceedings on repetitive sonic patterns and developments of their inner spaces in the mid of 70`s, for instance, if to come over to the workouts by Conrad Schnitzler and Cluster. The 9-track set is relied mainly upon propulsive and abrasive sounds, sometimes lopsided by having subtle swayings from one channel to another or sheer proto-industrial/old school industrial music alchemical experiments or producing slightly dream-alike fabric layers above those hard cored lookouts. Beside krautrock it can be considered minimal music as well, more detailly, if to consider the austere supplements of analogue/modular synth-based whimsical chords and overthrows. At times it will be exploded into noise-infused rhythms and brown noise-backed examples (noise techno?!). For sure, the ANM`s recent brainchild is ebullient, playful, and fruitful, all in all, full of aural fun. Check it out the other issues under Parafago Records as well, however, this Italian label has developed into one of the most solid experimental music records nowadays already.

Listen to it here

9.5

[Artists] No Pavarotti

KLaNGundKRaCH
Bandcamp
Lastfm

Dmitriy Rodionov Experience - Invisible Parts of Absurd Images (Noecho)

Since 1999 the Russian guitarist Dmitriy Rodionov has recorded lots of albums, having revealed his sympathies on diverse record techniques and sound collages. His recent, 3-track album (initially recorded in 1999) kicks off proceeding with mystical poem snippets and dense electrified drone (in fact, the issue will be finished off in the same vein). In between it is fulfilled with the effects of reverse guitars, another kind of spoken word, dark ambient shreds, unclassified sonic dust, and cock-eyed guitar jams. A solid cutting edge work, reminding of some Muhmood`s (guitar and spoken word) work and the two collaboration results made out by Alexei Rafiev & Alexei Borisov (mysterious spoken word/poetry).

Listen to it here

9.2

Metawon & The Dirty Samples Toothface Swaggerfoot (Neferiu)

Who has previously had some experiences with Neferiu Records, a label from Calgary, Canada, this must know what kind of warped hip-hop turnabouts and urban trash could be expected for. A sort of hip-hop music which does evaluate more its sonic backdrops rather than manifesting vocal parts. Moreover, Toothface Swaggerfoot is in principle more for you if you have never cared of the different kind of rap music, for example, especially of gangsta rap which is used to talk to you in speech of women, guns, cars and tough guys. If the gangstas` message is used to just letting you shrugging your shoulders and their sonic backgrounds are obviously turned out to be colourless on its own.

Metawon and The Dirty Samples, the previously themselves proved gearheads, do make up a split which consists of 28 basically short hip-hop blasts, having suffused shuffling cadences with really cinematic samples in the first place. Secondly, the musicians are deeply involved in the realm of funk, jazz/downbeat, brass-orchestrated stabbings and soulful suggestions. On the third side, here can be hearded more weird turns at times, for instance, the space age pop samples reminiscent of Mort Garson, a cult Canuck from the 70s. All in all, a superb accomplishment representing a refreshing hip-hop approach.

Listen to it here

9.7

dustdevil & crow while speaking softly you can hear the insects sing (Bandcamp)

While speaking softly you can hear the insects sing is the sophomore album by dustdevil & crow, however, in the meantime having got a solid addition regarding the line-up subsequently consisting of Michael Duane (guitars, basses), Bendle (voice, inept guitar, junk percussion, jaw harp, organ, low tech digital mischief), Aboombong (drums, percussion, treatments drones), Delphine Sayre (voice), Rob Tarana (violin), and Nick Toombs (guitar, field recording) at the moment. Indeed, all of those artists and their roles are very worth to be emphasized out. Here are represented 11 tracks, making out an idiosyncratic mix of post-rock, avant-garde, chamber rock/folk, dark-hued folk, psychedelia, and more concretely, having obvious influences from the 60`s British psych-folk, drone folk, some decades later appeared concept-based vanguard guitar workouts, and fuzz-filled or other feedback-based experimentations. Regarding the recent case, indeed, it is quite hard to draw difference between the kind of post-folk and post-rock. Yet, it would not have made up any difference at all if the basic ground were rubbish. Moreover, the sextet has even their own "pop song" (Breathing In). In a nutshell, it is a wide-opening yet subtle killer giving no chance for a listener to be realized out with some listening times.

Listen to it here

9.5

Crouching_World Wasted Time (Bandcamp)

A Chicagoean quartet consisting of Jober, SNuffy, Paragus, Sabez, Kevin K, is ready to give out a follow-up (of 3 tracks) to their great debut issue Passed Out, which offered a refreshing touch to a kind of open-ended experimental music compiled of the burden of drone, noise, psychedelic, electro/psychoacoustic lines, effect-loaded voice and electronics (reminding of the early, academical music-based sonic experiments), altogether having brought forth a resonating, DIY-soaked blast. Surely the kind of overtly psychedelic, lo-fi-esque approach has always been pointed out in a fine way. This is an example by the post-psychedelic electronica-relied tradition, indeed. By beavering away on KORG Electribe MX, KORG microKORG, Manipulated Thumb Drum, MacBook, Guitar, mad pedals, microphone + vox, however, the sophomore release continues partly with the similar desires, on the other side, in the title named track its sound seems to be more clear, even blissful, channelized into a gazing, even trance rock-ish spot. Yet, such sorts of tendencies will be abandoned at Killing Time Pt. 2 which is played out with a more improvisatory outlook, fringed by abrasive, even nihilistic synth pulsatings and rough blasts. This album is obligatory for everyone who is involved in cutting edge-touched, improvisational music.

Listen to it here

9.2

Tunguska Electronic Music Society Ellipsis II: Tundra.Ambient.Dreams. vol.2 (Jamendo)

The Moscow-based Tunguska Electronic Music Society (TMS) can be admitted as an umbrella organization which embraces lots of musicians, producers, dj's and composers, who work in a profilic way from the beginning of 2007 in "Tunguska Music" style. Moreover, TMS is also a net of network music distribution labels and a net of little bars and cafes. Its branches are known under such names as Tunguska Chillout Grooves, Tunguska Music Society, Tunguska Project, Tundra Ambient Dreams, Tayga Feeling, Transsyberian Express, Nikola Tesla Tribute, etc.

Before the listening to the Ellipsis II: Tundra.Ambient.Dreams. vol.2 I made acquaintance with the previous ones by the likes of Ellipsis II: Tunguska.Across.Sphere. vol.2, and Ellipsis II: Tunguska.Shaman.Vimana. vol.2, which were more dominated by chillout-esque electronic music being interchanged via smooth jazz themes and mindtouching, atmospheric-fried electronic approach, respectively.

However, the collective fills in the Tundra-titled album with a different point of view being kicked off proceeding in an epic mix of ambient, drone, ethnic drums, wherein Kosmische Musik-alike acid-hued synth swirls are permanently zipping over vast landscapes, which progression later involves the elements of space rock/space synth, unleashing the flow of metallic shards and fluttering, atmospheric sonic arrows over to the space around to be expanded and conquered. In principle, it does recruit a quite austere sonic statement, it is even minimally designed out, on the other side, it does not afford minimalism-close attacks for itself, offering enough propulsions and warbles on its own. Sometimes the whole does acquire peculiar dimensions via weird, even dystopic sonority as if those frogs and insects living in the futuristic, robot-dominated world, would have been mutanted via genetic changes, respectively resulting in croaking and chirping out mechanical sounds hardly discerned. Moreover, any signs about the presence of human being are long dismissed. Still at the closure some resurgent, chant-esque vocals will be appeared to get evolved into a few patterns, yet, getting no dominant reference within the soundscape. For the nature-based concrete soothings as forthcoming concrete sounds in the last tracks, however, are much more importance reserved.

In the conclusion, I really wish to express affectionate hope that the epicness is a universal chracteristic and hence allowing for the 13 tracks within 75 minutes to actualize great touches and milieus for any kind of listeners.

Listen to it here

9.4

TakeMeToTheMorgue! Oblivion EP (Torn Flesh)

I have wondered for myself for a while that the web-based music has had inverted outputs regarding its charts somehow. First off, at the top of download rates can be seen some curiosities and non-musical phenomenons (The Conet Project - Recordings of Shortwave Numbers; Wakka Chikka Wakka Chikka: Porn Music For The Masses). Besides it, some labels (Clinical Archives; Torn Flesh Records) concerned on the most lateral scenes off the pop music centre have reached off a thousands of download rates per day, which apparently does mirror for the crowds of experimental music-oriented lads and gals to be veiled behind the Internet music. By the way, this tendency is closely related to a hype relied upon the drag/witch house/crunk shoegaze/screwgaze movement, which uprising trajectory had initially been a matter of the blogosphere only.

Indeed, Torn Flesh Records is a label with increasingly growing discography, which spot is basically focused on bellicose dark/black/grind/noise, on the first place, and electronic overthrows applicated to it, on the other side. In fact, Jessie Martin aka Ylnez Payne aka TakeMeToTheMorgue! from Stuart, Virginia, vis à vis with the label does have a bit different reference set, delivering its touch on (modern/neo) classical music-inflected shots (15 tracks). By its fundamental aspect, of course, it is buried into dark and funeral - still slow-paced rhythms are sometimes stopped to be accessed to the ground, segued seamlessly into lethargic sleep to get have lots of plays with shadows and roaming between the visible and invisible in Nowhere Land, or on the other way, having fast run for noise-near peaks and raging low bass tectonics.

Listen to it here

8.5

genus inkasso with interests and penalty (True Call)

By listening to genus inkasso`s 4-track issue, however, my first impression was turned into the next question forms - did I have any idea of it being either a kind of mocking shot to the face of any types of experimental music peers or was it just a relaxing act, offering some satisfaction for the creator? Why did I have the questions and hesitations to be surfaced for? Was it a sheer expression of sonic metaphysics by directing a scraggy finger toward the scale of relativeness, maybe even referring to the end of pop music? What does it mean "interests and penalty" in this context actually? Should I be aware of it at all? Might it be the most genuine sound act ever heard? Nothing special, it is just for some irritations to be evoked.

4 tracks of bumfuzzling, lopsided chromatic areas, consisting of unlimited metallic manipulations and noise-soaken stabs, having lots of dodges aside wrapped in by the embodiment of digital boogies, shitloads of angular, abrasive elements, madly dadaistic repetitions, experiments with gibbering paces, inbetween bleak chamber repercussions and dark ambient-like flash of lights find some moments for to come in. In a word, this is a conception where all elements are mightly loaded with unrestricted chaotic potent running alongside an linear array while conjuring the associations having even no little possibility for place and time because of permanent change chains drifting upon the order through different fractals and levels. In fact, it is so intense that the regularity/beauty can glimpse at times only.

Listen to it here

8.4

[Old but important] Etrethn EP (Tavern Eightieth)

By concerning on for listening to music this very purpose is not only related to wholly hedonistic consideration to be enjoyed. Its side task is to discover small music communities and movements within the vast music business circuit, acknowledge them and integrate them into a broader system of the music community. Nowadays, because of the expansive popularity of different virtual social environments (Facebook, Twitter etc) it is not only the task and straining of the music critics anymore.

Maybe you can remember for I had overviewed such a Leeds-based vanguard dream folk musician as Michael Waters aka Model Warships recently, who is known by his uncountable collaborations and side projects and his constructive relationship with certain labels like Tavern Eightieth and BeatIsMurder as well.

One of such cooperations by Waters is Shi Toys with Edward Trethowan (also the British) whose doings are concerned on the likes of Anva, An Insection, and Etrethn (yet obviously misunderstood by myself how to spell it, though). Trethowan`s action with Etrethn can be viewed on the one issue only. However, merely named as EP (of 6 tracks within 29 minutes) it is really worth to pay much attention for it. As the basic processing peak, a fine and calculated interplay between noise, kinds of pulsations and psycho-acoustic ambiences, and throbbing industrial-alike rhythms can be detected here. By my opinion, as a speculative exercise the EP might be divided into two sections, correspondingly, consisting of first five tracks, and the last (and the most extended) one Shackracing.7, which is an omnipotent case of magnificient, epic ambient noise/cadencic space rock/ambient techno monstrum.

Listen to it here

Sturqen Radio Inoculation (Vacu Sessions)

Vacu Sessions is a sound art/sound design environment/community/label/blog, offering gently live sessions, mix sets, and uncommon DJ-gigs. Obviously it is located in Finland somewhere. Their slogan is as clear as the following one: heavy or light, new and old, predictable or totally unknown: the important here is the dynamic of the music. A continuous exploration of sound.

Here is a track from Sturqen, called Radio Inoculation, specially recorded for RadiaLx 2010, an International Radio Art Festival. With the longitude of 27.58 it seems to be an endless journey via sound exploration and observant knob-twiddling manipulation. Actually Radio Inoculation do tallow our visions and preconceptions about sound art as a kind of. Undoubtedly Sturqen`s conception is rigid, minimal and doggedly insensitive. Imperative even malicious signals, digital crackling of brown noise, throbbing monotonous drone lines and spacious layers are the agents up here presenting their very role to enact an intriguing conception between music and sound design, between a kind of music and non-. In fact, it does mean that there are even some little edges for warm feelings as well. What else can I add to for you - take your time and check it out for the more releases on Vacu Sessions. It is sometimes quite purposeful to listen to it for purifying of your mind.

Listen to it here

9.0

[Artists] Etrethn

Tavern Eightieth
Myspace
Lastfm

[Artists] Modern Warships

Model Warships/Bandcamp
Tavern Eightieth
BeatIsMurder
Myspace
Lastfm

Joxfield ProjeX Numbers & Letters (Clinical Archives)

Yet one year ago the Swedish pop music seemed to have strongly been associated with the sound of fields, sunshine and colourful flowers. You even know, such beautiful and safe, yet masterful and well-produced conceptions which fulfilled the task of muzak in the certain way. (The muzak as music is such a kind of listening object which is used to be predictable, i.e, keeping to live its own life from the very start without needing much attention and reasoning anymore). However, all my premisses were changed since I heard Joxfield ProjeX, by Yan and Oax leaded ensemble which showed up really deep and ungraspable point of view.

In fact, there has been a lot of albums within a year: Bits And Pieces# 1-13; Picnic; Virtual Dreams & Realities; Shimmering Mah No 1; Phantastique; and recently, Oddities And Rarities 2005-2010. No one of them were failed. Moreover, all the aspects of serious and intellectual-minded rock music were profoundly investigated on the aforementioned issues: from the progressive rock to the open-minded and over-the-edge-pouring space rock, ambient techno and kosmische musik conceptions.

A new one is compiled of 24 tracks (or 3 CD sets), including cooperation snippets of such luminaries as Pat Mastoletto, Geoff Leigh, and Kenji Siratori among other guests. It might be seem in comparison with the duo`s previous works it does sound more free jazz-y, incorporating the elements of pompous electro-rock/baggy-ish breakbeats, in Japanese spoken word, dream-loaded and hazy flute improvisations, ragga-rhythms and tanpura-sitar drones. However, it is obviously the first time when a release by their side seems to be a bit loose (or extrovert as it is already said), sometimes "uncomposed", based mainly on free improvised jams, or on the other side, sinking into the mould of avant-prog bottom. On the last third of the album, however, it smashes its head spot getting intensely to haze its boundaries and breaking on the other side. Though my top notch and recommendation is previously Oddities And Rarities 2005-2010, yet, those 24 tracks are very important part to get completed the whole regarding Joxfield ProjeX`s sound and conception. The whole picture of them became even more indistinct. And it is excellent, of course. By a Joker`s point of view indeed.

Listen to it here

9.2

Sky Event Sky Event (pan y rosas sitio)

2 musicians, Hathaway Hester (cello, little instruments), and Keith Helt (guitar, little instruments), are influenced equally by modern out and avant composition as well as contemporary Chicago creative music. As it is said, their soundscape is full of plinks, plucks and percussive slaps surrounded by abrasive chamber and electro-acoustic ambiences. At the half time it sounds really austere and rigorous, the first and third track do reflect more delightful approach. In fact, I can´t give it utterly positive agreement because sometimes it seems obvious that involving in the creative process do offer much more fun than the very output for listeners.

Listen to it here

7.5

d.Forma mecanica de fluidos (Format Noise)

Format Noise is such a kind of label which has not been very keen to issue a lot of music. Thereby some albums having released per a year are really expected for. A lot of (good) artists I have discovered for my great pleasure are often be found from here. No doubt, d.Forma (from the USA) is a pro-sided project as well, with a long tenure yet, having released its first outbursts in the first side of the 00`s.

6 tracks, having their drive through noise-infused industrial and EBM beats. Experimenting with various pace speed changes-effects, on different levels of uncompromising hard beat intenseness, d.structed and nihilistic electronic structures and gloomy neoclassical ambiences behind it do make up a lot of impressions from the start to the very last seconds. The favorites of mine are the starting track Eight, and Mine. In a nutshell, this is the music on the ground of pop periphery while it is enjoyable enough.

Listen to it here

8.7

[Filmimuusika] Mihkel Kleis "Oleg"

No nii, Mihkel Kleis, kohaliku proge- ja fusioonlipulaeva Luarvik Luarviku liider ja vabavormilise friikautansambli EDASI! kunstiline juht on seekord hoopis filmimuusikaplaadiga maha saanud (Jaan Toomiku lühifilmile "Oleg"). Arvestades tallinlase multidistsiplinaarsust, varasemaid kõrvalepõikeid (nt Lylian Meister`i isikunäituse "1001" helindamine 2008. aastal), kunstilist aktiivust ja otsingulist rahutust, ei tule sellesuunalised arengud üllatusena.

12 lugu peegeldavad neid locus`i , mida filmimuusikat on tavapärases mõttes peegeldama mõeldud. Emotiivsed helindid, milles väljendub agressiivse segmendi väljenduslikkus, tüüne vaikelulisus ning vaikuse piiride kompamine, on siin meisterlikult esile tõstetud. Barokne ja kammerlik miljöö on vaheldumas minimalistlikult introvertsete noir-passaažide (või suisa madalsageduslike monotoonsurinatega) või süntesaatoritel põhinevate happeliste fusioonrünnakutega; avantprogele iseloomulik repetiivne ning nurgeline perifeeria tõstab kvaliteeti ja hoiab vaheldust ülal. Kuivõrd filmis on palju rongisõitu (peategelane naaseb Punaarmee kroonust), siis MK püüdis rütmide ja kõladega lokomotiivi liikumist imiteerida (nt loos No. 3 võib lisaks rongikellade tilinat kuulda). Ka on kasutatud kitarri ja bassi (pluss efektiblokke). Muuseas, fuzzitud bassi kasutamise mõte sugenes Andrzej Zulawski filmi "Diabel" (1972) vaadates. Veidraim hetk (samas võib-olla ilusaim) kontekstuaalselt on No. 9, mida võib tõlgendada kui gregoriaanlikku naisvokaliisi (hoiame nihkevektorit jõus). Iga kuulamiskorraga erineb album varasemast nähtamatuks jäänud tah(k)u(de) poolest. Leitud on piir, balanss, mida tihtilugu leida ei suudeta - tasakaal kontseptsiooni lopsakuse ja eksperimentalismi vahel, mistõttu manipulatiivne faktor kuulaja suunas suureneb.

Kokkuvõttes tuleb nentida tõsiselt hea teose olemasolu, igatahes seni parima, mida siinkirjutaja Eestimaal AD 2010 kuulnud on.

Kuula albumit siit

[Vana ning oluline] Thierry Massard Staircase And Corridors (Bandcamp)

Rääkides tänapäeva blogide populaarsusest, siis ühed külastatavaimad on kahtlemata vanadele ning väikesetiraažilistele industrial- ja noiseabumitele (reliisitud kassett-või vinüülformaadis) pühendatud leheküljed. Vajadus selle järele on suur, kuivõrd püütakse vaheldust leida tänapäeva (digitaalsetele) saundidele ning liialdavatele obsessiivsetele saundipededele, püütakse tutvuda reliisidega, mis ennekõike olid toored ja jämedad analoogküpsetised (mille tegemiseks kasutati kardinaalselt teistsuguseid meetodeid). Ning teisalt, vanad (ja parimad) tegijad leiavad seeläbi taas tunnustamist ning vajadusel lisatakse muusikaajalukku täidendavaid infopudemeid ja mõjujooni (pärast hindamist ja seoste leidmist).

Thierry Massard salvestas aastatel 1979-1982; tollal 20ndate eluaastate alguses prantslane kasutas ülesvõttekeskkonnana vanemate vana garaaži, mille keskpõrandale asetas monofoonilise rekorderi, asetades selle ümber muu tehnika, kuhu kuulusid antiikne Wem`i kajamasin, lasteorel ning odav kitarr; lisaks olid varustusse hulgas "mõned kontrollimatud ja veidrad pedaalid" ja väike raadio, mida ta kasutas kitarri-, hääle- ja pedaalivõimedina. Ka sämplimisest ei saanud mööduda ilma b-kategooria õudukast katkeid laenamata. Lisaks käesolevale pärineb tollest ajast ka album "SüBE Version", millest Massard tegi 50 koopiat, saates need mööda ilma laiali (nt Cosey Fanni Tutti`le Throbbing Gristle`ist).

13 loo vältel (mis algselt oli üllitatud Metropublik`i alt mõned aastad tagasi) kuuleme vana kooli industrial-muusikale omast nihilistlikku minimeeritud käiamist, monotoonseid delay-efekte, kõikvõimalikke kahinaid - mis pärinevad raadio ebamäärastelt lainepikkustelt, lindisahinatest ja väliste konkreethelide ebamäärasustest -, mikrotonaalseid katsetusi ning elektroakustilist ruumiga manipuleerimist. Uutest, hiljem töötlemise käigus lisatud efektidest tasub märkimist EVP (electronic voice phenomenas) kasutamine, mida võib peaasjalikult kuulda lugudes What² ja What What.

See album on ennekõike mõeldud neile, kes peavad lugu helikunstist, (vana kooli) industrial- ja müramuusikast, inimajaloo muusikalisest pärandist ning selle arhiveerimisest. Peab aru saama, et pärand ei ole ainult see, mida poolpaljad näitsikartiklid MTV kaudu esindavad, ning hea meel on tõdeda, et vähemalt 130 inimest on "Staircase And Corridors"-le juba heakskiidu lisanud.

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[Artistid] Thierry Massard

Thierry Massard/Bandcamp
Thierry Massard
Kreislauf
Lastfm
NoCo...mment
the questionnaire

[Artistid] Lather

Lather/Bandcamp
Lather/CLLCT
Myspace