PLAYLIST with COMMENTS/REVIEWS

[Bloated Slutbag]

Solo works of Mikawa under this name have been great, and Fumio's solo work is a truly underrated treat of the era it hails from.  When those two link up, I feel no sparks.

This here does though beg the question: not counting the live tracks (which admittedly make up the bulk of the output in more recent years), at what point is Incaps to be fully severed from Mikawa solo? A toughie.

And by this I mean, there are the Incaps albums proper. But running in concert a whole heap o righteous brevity, plural, which, in its brevity (plural) screams (shrieks, scathes, scorches) one name and One Name Only. A name that, put it country simple, ain't Kosakai. Take, for instance, the two shorties off Default Standard, namely, the title track and the eminently typeable Company never obtains the loan but it defaults. This is some Pariah Tapes level pointedness, amiright? But some Pariah Tapes level pointedness that has always been present, through in and throughout. As in. Throughout the catalog, in & under & over & through & every which whatever, like, you, like, got that Mikawa, right. And not much (if anything) else*

* whatever the liner notes might tell you**
** and at least as far as favored Mikawa drinking establishments they will, invariably, tell you plenty

[Bloated Slutbag]

Solo works of Mikawa under this name have been great, and Fumio's solo work is a truly underrated treat of the era it hails from.  When those two link up, I feel no sparks.

This here does though beg the question: not counting the live tracks (which admittedly make up the bulk of the output in more recent years), at what point is Incaps to be fully severed from Mikawa solo? A toughie.

And by this I mean, there are the Incaps albums proper. But running in concert a whole heap o righteous brevity, plural, which, in its brevity (plural) screams (shrieks, scathes, scorches) one name and One Name Only. A name that, put it country simple, ain't Kosakai. Take, for instance, the two shorties off Default Standard, namely, the title track and the eminently typeable Company never obtains the loan but it defaults. This is some Pariah Tapes level pointedness, amiright?

What I forgot to add*, is this. While I adore Incaps in their many and varied iterations, the fall back position, the default standard is, for me, the studio ditty. Which comes home all the more on albums like Default Standard and 73. The said studio tracks clock in at about 5min a piece, and are dwarfed by the massive live tracks. But the studio tracks make these albums. Easily. The studio ditty is the principal to which I will always return. And the principal which, I submit, tends toward the more minimal, the more pointed, the more, shall we say, reminiscent of a solo endeavor than a duo.

This is just how I hear it and it would not shock me to learn that the studio work is all sourced from dual-powered sessions as Incaps proper.

But still.

* and semi apologies to keep banging on like some sad and insufferable sod, hope i might at least net marks for consistency!

[k.p.g]

Kyle Flanagan - Purely Psychedelic, Volume 2 (self-released)
Back at it with the Purely Psychedelic series for today, and I think I like this one even more than the first.  Starting off with some industrial metal clanging before hitting this synth stride that is as beautiful as it is foreboding.  Kyle balances this line so well, and continues to have that subtle movement work down pat. 

[k.p.g]

Kazumoto Endo - Brick & Mortar (Skeleton Dust, reissue)
Early start to the morning with this disc.  Was kind of surprised by how short of a runtime it has, clocking in at just above 25 minutes.  The opening track to While You Were Out is half that!  Sometimes an artist just feels like they can accomplish more in less time, and that is certainly the case here.  The volume-pushing ferocity is on point here, as are the samples Endo is choosing to implement here.  When Luke Tandy posted about this reissue happening, he said he was surprised it is not held in the same reverence as While You Were Out is.  After this listen, I have to agree.  It hits just as hard in half the time; a great thing to have when you just want a short burst of noise.

Japanese Torture Comedy Hour - 50,000 JTCH Fans Can't Be Wrong (PURE)
Discogs has this listed as 50,000 ELVIS Fans, but that is clear as day crossed out on the disc art.  Shame on Discogs!
Rant aside, I cannot really state what I haven't already about this disc.  It is perfect noise to me.  I still find new points of inspiration in each revisit (which has become a yearly ritual at this point).  Currently enjoying the apocalyptic dirge of track 5 that is taking place.  Track 6 just started now with a good mix of what sounds like guitar and a random tone generator.  This disc sits in such a beautiful zone between "fully realized odyssey" and "just some fuckin' tracks we threw together."  Juvenile yet oh so masterful.  Sheesh.  I'll stop myself now before I go track-by-track.

[Clinton Foundation]

Bizarre Uproar / Bless The Sickness - Susinarttu 2xCD
Definitely a product of this era of BU.

Starts off strong with the first track, new style of electronics with lovely lyrics.
Grind descends into a degrading electric grinding loop with scrap metal subtly changing throughout the track. Only "vocals" are what seems to be artists or animals groaning and a baby crying.
Liha Kädessä is recycled material from Vihanmiehet - II Ravenlord doing vocals all throughout the track. Speaks for itself, better version than on other album mentioned.
Curse Of Wounds / Verboten / Xenophobinen Ejakulaatio II has the first 4 mins build tension then it breaks out with i'm assuming no input mixer feedback loops and an austrian painter making a crowd very happy with what he's saying. Vocal loop starts around 10 mins. Full of layers that are flowing behind the initial loop that carries it to the end of the track.
Kiroan Kun Siunaan is personal favorite, almost meditative with how it's structured. Pure scrap metal worship with Ravenlord doing vocals around 40 mins in.

This album isn't for everyone, over 2 hours of crushing loops. Post molestation by SS-Pekka.

[k.p.g]

Merzbow - Tentacle (Alchemy Records)
Venturing back to an early laptop-era recording to beat the summer heat today.  The more I listen to Merzbow, the easier I find it to differentiate between the eras and how far into them the records are.  Tentacle definitely has all the hallmarks of early laptop-era for Masami; tons of filter sweeps, glitch cuts that sound like a random tone generator and rhythmic passages that possibly overstay their welcome.  It could sound like amateur hour based on that description, and well, it is!  After all, this is some of the first stuff that he recorded upon transitioning over to the laptop.  It wasn't like Sun Ra was an expert with the Moog upon unboxing, and the same could be said for Masami with the laptop.

Still, the amateur and rather primitive nature of releases like this make for a fun listen.  They have their charm and by no means are anywhere near awful.  Hell, there are moments like the end of "Stormy Tuesday" into the monolith that is "Stormy Wednesday" that could make a case for being among some of the best moments in his catalogue.  I am referring to those moments of eerie silence, bordering on just pure dark ambient.  Scary good.

[k.p.g]

Support - I (Fusty Cunt)
Short and to the point PE.  The drone synth is there, as are the "enraged" vocals.  Mic feedback? Check.  It is a solid release.  I could see why people got upset over this back in 2015.  It is a subject matter I would not dare to approach myself, but then again, doesn't the best PE often confront the subjects we are too uncomfortable to confront ourselves?

[DBL]

I could see why people got upset over this back in 2015.  It is a subject matter I would not dare to approach myself, but then again, doesn't the best PE often confront the subjects we are too uncomfortable to confront ourselves?

I'm not familiar with that one. What's the project/release about?

[Balor/SS1535]

I could see why people got upset over this back in 2015.  It is a subject matter I would not dare to approach myself, but then again, doesn't the best PE often confront the subjects we are too uncomfortable to confront ourselves?

I'm not familiar with that one. What's the project/release about?

Police brutality and school shootings, I think?

https://www.discogs.com/artist/4198132-Support-4

[Phenol]

Tonight's listening has been Inade - Aldebaran and Current 93 - Nature Unveiled. Both absolute classics. Anyone who thinks C93 came into itself and only became important with the neofolk style is plainly and simply wrong; NU is a fucking masterpiece: everything is spot on and the tape looping is super elegantly done. C93 were great from the beginning. Inade has also never put a foot in the wrong place sonically and Aldebaran is no exception. A good early evening of ambient listening so far...

[Tribe Tapes]

Hands To - Do Not Touch Them K7 [Big Body Parts]
Late 80s Hands To, SK-1 sampling abound. 1.4 second long snippets of music and non-music sometimes mixed with longer-form tape recordings. It all sounds rudimentary but it is dense and surreal, even this early on in Jerman's career it's evident he knows how to structure abstract sound in a concise manner. It is loud but not harsh, moreso cavernous. Even the shriller moments of feedback feel like they're being recorded from a speaker at the other side of the room. Similar approaches to noise music were had during the 1980s home taping renaissance (particularly in early Americanoise, see BCO or John Hudak) but Jerman's is a distinct voice.

[k.p.g]

Worth - Me Vexat Pede (Aussaat)
Second time listening to this record in the last 7 days.  The decision to make this a collection of shorter tracks interests me.  I have always thought of Worth as a long-form, 3-act structure kind of guy in his best works (see: Roosting in Death-Sized Horn).  The choice to make these shorter tracks means ideas will not last long or grow into sprawling works as they usually do in Will's work.  As a result, this record feels like the strangest release in the Worth catalogue to date.  So many interesting sound bits come into play and leave a lasting mark before they are swallowed up in the storm of harsh noise.  At points I heard laughing, metal clanging and even something of a pop song.  All of these elements are victim to the meat grinder of mixer feedback that nobody does quite like Will.  When these elements eventually do fight back, it often leads to more of the album's more impressionable moments.  The impression usually is "how the hell did he make that sound?"  It sounds like the Kingdom of Oz is collapsing right before us.  There is beauty, but it is in its most volatile form here.

Me Vexat Pede is a confusing release that will take repeated listens to appreciate fully.  Headphones are recommended.

[k.p.g]

Penis Geyser - Penis Geyser (Gracious Host)
One of the best tapes to come out this year.  The line between crude shitnoise and noisecore has never been so blurred.  It is hard to put much of an intelligent words to what is stupidity blastbeats at its finest.  It rocks you like a hurricane!

Evil Moisture - Recycled (RRR)
The definition of insanity can be found in my copy of this tape.  First 3 minutes sound great before the tape grinds to a halt and stops playing.  AGHHHH.  I have tried every trick in the book to make it work for years, but some tapes are just beyond salvageable.  I will order a new copy from RRRon soon.  But I'll be damned if those 3 minutes of uninterrupted noise ain't some killer stuff worth mentioning.

Absolute Key - Pastoraali (Tribe Tapes)
Very good lo-fi works that I decided to revisit this morning.  Was having a pretty good time with it until my coworker called me out of the blue.  I missed his birthday on Saturday!  Shit, I really like this guy too.  But why is he calling my work phone about personal matters?  He says he tried both my numbers but I see no indication of this.  I'll let it slide, cuz I really like this guy... Well anyways, I really like this tape but lost focus on listening to it.  So now it will get a second listen today.  No problem with me.

[becomeanddie]

Militia - New European Order
It's a long one but never overstays a welcome. Even though it's industrial and has many beats it has a very PE feeling to it. Militaristic PE. Same way that Alberich is super PE feeling as well but pulls from lots of other stuff. Last half is just pure ambient and features some tracks from the Con-dom/Militia split but with added acoustic noise sounds. Like wood banging? or maybe metal? I have no idea but they really went for like a tribal drum vibe in the added noise. Makes sense for something with a military vibe. Also every song blends into eachother like a DJ set.

PBK - A Noise Supreme (Early solo works 1986-1989)
Every track has a really tight ambience to it, reminds me of ZSS stuff I've heard or Contortus stuff. Which is cool because it makes me think they've listened to this or maybe something like it, inspired by it. Always love "connecting the dots" sort to speak, even if there's no proof of the actual dots in question. I guess it's really just for my own mental map of PE/noise landscape. Anyways the constant lo-fi quality adds really creepy tonal aspect to everything. There's a lot of different parts to this tape, feedback, delayed synths, beats but it all feels together and focused. His cover of take five is phonemonal, sounds just like the original ;)

[Balor/SS1535]

PBK - A Noise Supreme (Early solo works 1986-1989)
Every track has a really tight ambience to it, reminds me of ZSS stuff I've heard or Contortus stuff. Which is cool because it makes me think they've listened to this or maybe something like it, inspired by it. Always love "connecting the dots" sort to speak, even if there's no proof of the actual dots in question. I guess it's really just for my own mental map of PE/noise landscape. Anyways the constant lo-fi quality adds really creepy tonal aspect to everything. There's a lot of different parts to this tape, feedback, delayed synths, beats but it all feels together and focused. His cover of take five is phonemonal, sounds just like the original ;)

This sounds very interesting.  The only PBK that I have is the collaboration disc with AMK and Hands To on Pure, but I do like the "old industrial" approach to noise quite a bit.  I'll have to check this one out!