Volcano The Bear "Guess The Birds" 10" Beta-Lactam Ring Records Mycophilic Toxin028 2001 (25:16)
side a (12:35)
Urchins At
the Harp (6:07)
Maureen Memorium (2:55)
There In the House of the Moon (3:33)
side b (12:41)
Millipede for
the Little Boy (3:09)
All the Paint I Can Breathe (3:36)
Volcano the Bear (5:56)
For connoisseurs of uncommon music the Lactamese 10" series from Portland based Beta-Lactam Ring Records has been quite a treat. The dozen records, each limited to 500 copies, come on direct metal mastered audiophile vinyl so they sound as great as they look. "Guess The Birds" is the 8th installment and surely one of the most anticipated. It's of an attractive dim gray vinyl and comes with a Dada meets Dali cover, big glossy inserts, signed art postcard and label stickers. Dada meets Dali is probably a good way to describe VTB's music too. Track titles will give you some idea: "Urchins At the Harp", "There In the House of the Moon", "Millipede for the Little Boy", "All the Paint I Can Breathe". The six tracks are relatively subdued and somewhat sluggishly unfold. Sounds include ambient shuffling about, some odd vocalizations and intercom talk, snoring, electronics and plenty of blown, bowed, plucked and struck stuff. Arabic overtones are present on a few songs thanks to vocal wailing, contemplative droning and percussion pastiche. Yes, it's uncommon music alright, but it's far from difficult listening. In fact, it's rather pleasant and always interesting. Coming soon is "The Mountains Among Us" LP, also from Beta-Lactam ...
Volcano
The Bear
Beta-Lactum Ring Records
Where did I get this cd? - Beta-Lactum Ring