Fez Dispenser "Fez Dispenser" Skin & Barrel Music snb004 2001 (59:48)
Thank You Would've Done Nicely (3:25)
Castillian Fennel Dub (3:34)
Smoothin' (3:48)
Yet Again (4:35)
Bb Gat (5:05)
That's Not Acid Jazz (3:04)
Grease Slick (3:26)
Fez Dispenser (3:45)
He Speaks (2:42)
Lake Placidyl (6:01)
Lucky 14 (3:44)
Everything Works (3:09)
Watch for Falling Doors (5:24)
Really I Do (3:40)
And Fade (4:26)
Fez Dispenser is Matt Thorne, one of two brothers that make up Psychic Enemies Network. With this project he dissolves the darkness and artfully expands upon the eclecticism already found in PEN's work (see also s/t and "Valis"). Fifteen instrumentals freely juxtapose played and programmed genre elements within tracks and track to track. But in the slick guitar riffs, vibes and grooves a jazz influence represents throughout. Thorne seems to be striving for songs that mix things up so much as to defy all pigeonholing and, more importantly, are just plain fun to play and listen to. Drum and bass backdrops the busy jammin' of "Thank You Would've Done Nicely" while horn-y dub and hazy dub make up "Castillian Fennel Dub" and "Really I Do", respectively. "Smoothin'" slips into overdriven overdrive with a stompin' spy thriller theme and "Watch for Falling Doors" percussively jazzes it up, both reminding me of Barry Adamson's recent imaginary soundtracks. Hip Hop beats and breaks add flava here and there, especially in "Everything Works", while the title track sets up camp near Muslimgauze territories. "He Speaks" dips into electronic whimsy a la The Orb with cute samples of helpful English phrases. "Lake Placidyl" offers a short-term treatment for insomnia with a slow moving quasi-psychedelic lullaby. And just to make absolutely sure I walk away happy, the lovely Stars of the Lid-like "And Fade" conjures up similar tired sounds as a finale. A little bit of everything goes a long way ...
Where did I get this CD? - promo