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aeolian string ensemble, "eclipse"
While the Aeolian String Ensemble might not be a household name aroundthese parts, David Kenny, the man behind the "ensemble," should berecognized from the credits of some of the fans' most favorite Current93 and Nurse With Wound releases as well as production on SPK's "InFlagrante Delicto" and the first Cyclobe record. "Espacios" opens thisthree-song release like a fog drifting into the dark night.
Robot
It's slowmoving, chaotic in its continuously morphing volume, yet perfectlysettling and comforting. The low frequency rumbles that come in and outof phase are a complete mindwarp and play well to the higher pitchedsomewhat "lead instrument" sounds. I can't be sure what sound isactually being created by the alleged Air Harps or Wind Vanes but likea Mirror record, it's sometimes best to just sit back and let it takeover rather than overanalyze it too much. "K1" is the second piece onthe disc and if it sounds remotely familiar to some, it's because itwas originally named "Sucker for a Sob Story" back in the 1980s. "K1"was originally recorded and mixed with Steven Stapleton back in 1981 atIPS Studios. On the Historical AuricleCD, Stapleton is listed as contributing mix and sounds, while here he'sjust noted for his encouragement! Regardless, the 11-minute 24 year oldrecording sounds perfectly preserved and timeless, remarkably predatingall Nurse With Wound ambient recordings. "Eclipse" ends the CD, anearly 17 minute excerpt of a live recording which took place duringthe 1999 eclipse which seemed to effect other Europeans like Richard H.Kirk (see Darkness At Noon), Einstürzende Neubauten (see Total Eclipse of the Sun),and probably others I'm forgetting or avoiding. The Aeolian StringEnsemble's performance took place at Bosham Harbour and for the firstfew minutes it sounds as if the sea was captured in the background.Eventually the ensemble's own music overcomes all extraneous sounds aseverything builds into a thick, lush, and gorgeous aural soup,eventually breaking and giving way to the mutated sea sounds. Onceagain, the recording is nothing less than completely mesmerizing, andits brevity is almost a blessing and a tease at the same time. I doappreciate a well-developed ambient track but there are some people(I'm looking at you, Basinski) who need to know when to cut the songoff. The entire CD lasts less than 45 minutes, and it's perfect enoughto anticipate the next release, whenever that may surface. Like theonly other Aeolian full-length release, Eclipse is once againcovered by the artwork of Christoph Heemann and although it would benice to hang on a wall somewhere, the joy in this release is not anyfancy packaging, but the fantastic music contained herein.
Robot
It's slowmoving, chaotic in its continuously morphing volume, yet perfectlysettling and comforting. The low frequency rumbles that come in and outof phase are a complete mindwarp and play well to the higher pitchedsomewhat "lead instrument" sounds. I can't be sure what sound isactually being created by the alleged Air Harps or Wind Vanes but likea Mirror record, it's sometimes best to just sit back and let it takeover rather than overanalyze it too much. "K1" is the second piece onthe disc and if it sounds remotely familiar to some, it's because itwas originally named "Sucker for a Sob Story" back in the 1980s. "K1"was originally recorded and mixed with Steven Stapleton back in 1981 atIPS Studios. On the Historical AuricleCD, Stapleton is listed as contributing mix and sounds, while here he'sjust noted for his encouragement! Regardless, the 11-minute 24 year oldrecording sounds perfectly preserved and timeless, remarkably predatingall Nurse With Wound ambient recordings. "Eclipse" ends the CD, anearly 17 minute excerpt of a live recording which took place duringthe 1999 eclipse which seemed to effect other Europeans like Richard H.Kirk (see Darkness At Noon), Einstürzende Neubauten (see Total Eclipse of the Sun),and probably others I'm forgetting or avoiding. The Aeolian StringEnsemble's performance took place at Bosham Harbour and for the firstfew minutes it sounds as if the sea was captured in the background.Eventually the ensemble's own music overcomes all extraneous sounds aseverything builds into a thick, lush, and gorgeous aural soup,eventually breaking and giving way to the mutated sea sounds. Onceagain, the recording is nothing less than completely mesmerizing, andits brevity is almost a blessing and a tease at the same time. I doappreciate a well-developed ambient track but there are some people(I'm looking at you, Basinski) who need to know when to cut the songoff. The entire CD lasts less than 45 minutes, and it's perfect enoughto anticipate the next release, whenever that may surface. Like theonly other Aeolian full-length release, Eclipse is once againcovered by the artwork of Christoph Heemann and although it would benice to hang on a wall somewhere, the joy in this release is not anyfancy packaging, but the fantastic music contained herein.
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WZBC's 30th Anniversary Bash
It's no wonder that one of the world's most internationally renowned college radio stations is based in one of the world's most internationally renowned area for its colleges. Based in Boston, WZBC celebrated 30 years of groundbreaking radio last year (beat that, Resonance!). This week is the irregular pledge week and to support them, a video document of the 30th Anniversary Bash has been assembled from footage taken by students and DJs, edited by Jon Whitney and current WZBC Operations Director Amar Ashar. Performers at the bash included Keith Fullerton Whitman, Quasi, Lightning Bolt, Out Hud, Due Process, Jackie-O Motherfucker, Sunburned Hand of the Man, Tunnel of Love, Landing, Bardo Pond, Christopher Willits, No Neck Blues Band, Hella, and Nautical Almanac (many appear in this mini-documentary). Watch the video, then tune in afterwards at www.wzbc.org (or tune in if you're local) and hear for yourself! Support innovative non-commercial radio. Thanks!13 Minutes, Quicktime Streaming Video
