Sill Image "Finite Line" CS (Throne Heap)
Really beautiful and precise stuff that showcases the intersection between "accessible" experimental music, musique concrete, and industrial sensibilities. Apparently this is Shane Church, otherwise known as Hostage Pageant and also as one half of Harness, with Luke Tandy. Today, the only real contemporary I could draw a parallel with would be Shredded Nerve, but a few decades ago folks like Organum were also doing stuff like this – that is, carefully-balanced, somewhat minimal stuff that seems very composed, detailed, and both gritty and clear (in terms of fidelity). Acoustic noises like glass, metal, and rocks are accompanied by echo and reverb effects with electronics in the background that are in some cases surprisingly melodic. Excellent stuff, I'll certainly follow this project further and don't mind saying that I wish Harness was half as good as this. Only complaint is that tape is a bit short for how good it is, something like a C30 but another 15 minutes would've been ace.
Hidegkút "Gyerekkor" CS (Throne Heap)
This is another project I was unaware of before requesting this from Tom in a trade he unexpectedly offered. Again, another one that straddles both "approachable" notions of experimental music (by using melody and very clear fidelity) and the rather vague "noise" end of the spectrum (sounds for their own sake). Here, I'm tempted to use the awful but fitting term "soundscapes" to describe the combination of pure electronic sound with melancholic keyboards and serene field recordings (I would easily rather listen to those unaccompanied, they're immersive and gorgeous; families at the beach, water, natural reverb, birds, insects). On the A-side, there's a pervasive elegiac tone. On the B-side, things become a bit more contented. There are also some voice samples which for me added nothing, maybe a Tarkovsky-film vibe intended there? Could see something like this coming out on Kye or Vitrine. The "musical" elements here don't appeal to me, but I'd gladly listen to a 4xC90 set if this guy just filled them with his unadulterated field recordings.
Antonin Pagaille "Je Suis La Chimère" CS (Throne Heap)
Have been wanting to check out this project of Mikkel Rørbo for some time, but until now, financially-motivated pickiness has prohibited me. I've heard this described as krautrock, and you know, I still don't really know what that is and am not sure that I care. Overall, though, that description seems pretty accurate as it's synth-based stuff that isn't quite ambient or drone, has a little too much sc-fi movie "throwback" quality for that. Still, it's more minimalist and less wacky than the stuff I've heard labeled "krautrock."
Very meandering stuff that in some movements settles for too long on certain sounds; this has a lot in common with Maurizio Bianchi's stuff post-1984, like The Plain Truth and Armaghedon. I do enjoy this but have to "qualify" it is lacking the grit, dirt, and sense of focus that Rørbo's other projects have which appeals to me. Cinematic and enveloping in the right mood, however. Could certainly see how this would appeal to movie buffs and the more substance-inclined. Wouldn't mind hearing some earlier material from the project if anyone reading would be up for a trade.
