TED BYRNES - Formula CS (Lake Shark Harsh Noise, 2020)
Given the context of this being released on LSHN, some the sounds here initially reminded me of those of certain works by THE RITA - rumbling friction of contact mics on nylon, contact mics (and/or knives) dredging watery depths, etc., but these eventually give way to barreling sounds that conjure up the desired images of Formula One cars idling, engines crackling (and/or cackling), sputtering as they prepare to hit the track in full precision force at top speed. The "solo acoustic percussion" that Ted Byrnes defines his work as has never sounded more "electronic" than what is presented on the B-side - that description should not betray the material's authenticity, however, as its "purpose" has perhaps never been more fully realized than in these perfect emulations of short stroke engines. Compare the sounds to DAMION ROMERO's "Idle" [recording of a 1968 Plymouth Road Runner idling in the driveway] and one would be hard pressed to say there is any difference between the "natural" sounds presented on both releases. The liner notes to "Idling¹", a release by Byrnes and Sam McKinlay collaborative project CACKLE CAR, state "The physicality and visceral nature of rapid percussion sampled and interpreted with analog overdriven gate and bias fuzz effects. The resulting textural sound resembles an idling top fuel dragster engine" - an effect achieved by RITA-izing Byrnes' percussion. Here on "Formula" the desired outcome is attained without electronic aid, and that speaks volumes to Ted's ability and intent. After running a comparison to "Idling¹", I immediately put this tape back on and found that whatever "other" sounds I had been hearing upon first listen simply did not exist and were likely a result of my own bias and/or preconceptions. Hearing "something else" is easy to do with contextless noise, but no context is lacking here. This is streamlined in such a profound way that it can be nothing other than Ted Byrnes' "Formula". Recommended listening.
