Merzbow Top Hits

[Minus1]

Masami Akita - The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue 1996

When Akita and when Merzbow?  I wonder what dictates that.  Anyone know?  This album strikes me as something that could have been on Sound of Pig.  Harsh in moments, but stylistically experimental and with worldly tones.  Lots of field recordings?  Typically wonderful loops.  He really is a master of a the loop, isn't he?  I've really been keying into that aspect of him lately.  A new level of appreciation for his skill for loops.  This album does run into some stumbling blocks for me though.  The 50's music sample and the horse are two samples that break my concentration and enjoyment of this.  Reading through a thread at the Steve Hoffman forums, this could be a good introduction to him for those who don't like skin-blistering noise.  Outside perspective is interesting.

I'm afraid to click onto that Hoffman link. Won't they drone on about EQ levels and mastering issues? 😂 "Clipping" and all that?

Ok, that's not fair. (Actually, yes it is.) 😂 I lasted about 15min there. Me with my 20+ year old $50 (in 2005 dollars) portable CD player.

But I digress: I've spent a lot of time with The Prosperity of Vice, The Misfortune of Virtue today. (Re-release.) It might be the only "short tracks" Merz I've heard. And god-damn, this one is a real revelation for me. Akita has so many hidden / unseen angles, and I fucking have 100+ CDs of his. The man is Bachian. An ocean of Noise. Yet, still, his Noise can take surprising and beautiful turns.

(I can't distinguish between Merz/Masami. That begs a question in my mind: Did he ever make sound NOT as Merzbow?)

This CD is coming to me!

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Finally opened and listened to MERZBOW / WIESE "akashaplexia" 4xCD. Whole thing plays nicely at one sitting. It is that good. Could be among the best of new Merzbow, but logically at least partial thanks to Wiese! Playful, colorful, highly active, yet it does fall under real deal noise, despite there isn't constant loud HARSHNESS. Studiolive? Perhaps. Credits list studio where it was recorded, all four discs, 14th December 2024. I could only assume they played live long session that was mixed later. It does display talent to churn out about three hours of noise in single day and being actually good stuff! Something listener will sit though at once and think: could be more of this!