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16 December 2001

Albums and Singles

Just in time for the holidays is the reissue of V/Vm Test Records' veryfirst Christmas single! Included on the new 3" are all six tracks fromthe original 7" single plus a brand new Christmas treat for 2001: atimeless terrible Paul McCartney tune that time forgot, "Pipes ofPeace". Sure, we all know that the Stockport crew are a bunch of hacks,but there's something amazingly charming about the sounds of deformedclassics threadded through hosts of effects, banks and glitches alongwith creepy new takes on irritating joyous songs unavoidable like thatSalvation Army guy with the bell who won't stop. After a long day ofavoiding grouchy drivers, pushy shoppers and everything else that comesalong with the holiday season, it's nice to throw on something hauntinglike Animal's "Oil Come All Ye Industrial" or the chopped-up audiocollage of Prof. Broxburn's "Christmas Fractions and Brandy Snaps" atunbearingly loud volumes. I think that's even James and Andy singingkaraoke on the V/Vm live show 1997 track! And to think these guys claimto have never heard of Nurse With Wound!

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16 December 2001

Albums and Singles

Solid State is, without a doubt, the best IDM album released in 2001.Now, them's fightin' words, I know - but let us consider thecontenders. Brothomstates' "Claro" was an excerise in derivativenesswhich went absolutely nowhere. "Drukqs"? No, thank you, 1996 was fiveyears ago. "Confield"? Very interesting and pushing experimentalboundaries, but not something you listen to often. "Double Figure"?Now, there's a contender, but.. anyway, Solid State rules. The twoDutch brothers known as Funckarma have singlehandedly tapped into thatamazing Tri Repetae-style of IDM, added some real instruments, and madean album that sounds brand new while feeling delightfully familiar.What I'm trying to say is that Solid State is clearly influenced by themasters, Autechre - but never so much that it sounds like a ripoff orsomething unoriginal (*cough* Funkstorung). What really sets it apart,though, is the beautiful (and real) instrumentation - upright bass in"Lolala," sighing violins in "Bace"... lush sounds that give it anorganic edge the likes of which you only find in something like, say,Plaid's latest album. But electronic-noodling fans, fear not, sinceSolid State delivers those goods too: just listen to "Nuncas" and feelthe way the synth squiggles between your ears.... it's classic. Trulyclassic. These guys clearly aren't getting the recognition they deserve.

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16 December 2001

Albums and Singles

Just in time for the holidays is the reissue of V/Vm Test Records' veryfirst Christmas single! Included on the new 3" are all six tracks fromthe original 7" single plus a brand new Christmas treat for 2001: atimeless terrible Paul McCartney tune that time forgot, "Pipes ofPeace". Sure, we all know that the Stockport crew are a bunch of hacks,but there's something amazingly charming about the sounds of deformedclassics threadded through hosts of effects, banks and glitches alongwith creepy new takes on irritating joyous songs unavoidable like thatSalvation Army guy with the bell who won't stop. After a long day ofavoiding grouchy drivers, pushy shoppers and everything else that comesalong with the holiday season, it's nice to throw on something hauntinglike Animal's "Oil Come All Ye Industrial" or the chopped-up audiocollage of Prof. Broxburn's "Christmas Fractions and Brandy Snaps" atunbearingly loud volumes. I think that's even James and Andy singingkaraoke on the V/Vm live show 1997 track! And to think these guys claimto have never heard of Nurse With Wound!

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16 December 2001

Albums and Singles

You know those collaborations you read or hear about and you think toyourself 'now that's gonna be cool' but then you finally hear it andare completely underwhelmed? Ok then, lets file this one in that bin.
Iceland's Kitchen Motors label has been unifying and challengingdifferent artists with their commendable Motorlab series, this beingthe 3rd installment. They approached Adamson and Pan Sonic to compose avocal piece for Iceland's HljÑmeyki choir and that they did this pastApril in Reykjavik. For about 12 and 1/2 minutes, "The Hymn of the 7thIllusion" aimlessly treks through windy terrain, simple vocal 'ahhhs'and bass reverberations being somewhat of a guiding light. It's aminimal bore that never achieves any sort of tension or serves any sortof purpose. After a silent 24 second interlude, an even more dull 23minute glitchified remix by The Hafler Trio only adds insult to injury.A tremendous waste of potential all around that doesn't even begin totap the talents of those involved. Me, I semi-patiently continue towait for the new Adamson album, "Nothing Hill", due out early next year.

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16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

Before you fill out that brainwashed poll's category of "bestcompilation," make sure you own this collection. If you are stillunconvinced the Chicago-based Hefty Records is one of the strongestmodern electornic music labels, then this compilation will surelychange your mind. 'Immediate Action' was first reported on The Brainabout a year ago, as a series of limited 12" singles which suddenlypopped up in record stores and clubs all over the world. The premisewas to manufacture and distribute all the records quick, sinking littleor no money into artwork and promotion. The result was an assortment offine singles from Tortoise's John Herndon's dub guise A Grape Dope, theorganic live jazz and post-production electronic manipulations ofSamadha Trio, the hypnotic electornic Retina from Italy, the deepechoes of Twine, and Savath + Savalas - the now legendary and muchsought after project from Prefuse 73/Delarosa and Asora mastermindScott Heren. Along with these came a bit of remix work of John Hughesfrom the 'Scarlet Diva' by people like the Scott Heren and theundisputable Telefon Tel Aviv as well as a Slicker collaboration withthe Aluminum Group. For the most part, all records were gone as quicklyas they came in. For the CD release, the song collection has beennoticably truncated, missing A Grape Dope's "Time Makes You Suffer";Retina's "No Escape from Paradise"; plus "Hour 36" and "Loki" fromSamadha Trio. Consequently, 'bonus' tracks are included like unusedremixes and tracks from Bogdan Raczynski, Beneath Autumn Sky, andRetina. The end result is a fine assortment totalling over two hours ofsome of my favorite depth-penetrating electronics which never getboring, predictable or mundane. Those music fans who have addictivecollector tendencies should act soon if they want the bonus 12" that'savailable to accompany the comp., I don't know what's on it yet butyears from now it'll be a fine, much sought-after prize in yourcollection.

samples:

A Grape Dope - Kyoshi's Pop
Samadha Trio - Amidha
John Hughes - Street Song (Savath + Savalas remix)

16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

Time travel the easy way: just follow the beat and dive into nostalgia.The early 80's are present just like Vicious Pink Phenomena (ViciousPink later on) or Ensemble Pittoresque never went away. As hommage, TheHacker (Michel Amato) incorporates parts of Memorabila (Soft Cell) andI Feel Love (D. Summer / G. Moroder), but that`s about it withwellknown reference points.
Cheap sounding drum boxes, syn-drum effects, synthetics that don'tpretend to be anything else but a synthesizer, minimal sequencer linesand the deadpan vocals of Caroline Herve make up a charming differenceto all the 'greatest hits' stuff everyone gets confronted with toooften from that period.
The irony in the lyrics and song titles like "1982", "Frank Sinatra" or"DJ Song" makes it more believable this French duo took a sidestep fromcurrent music to follow their obsessions. The result is a sleazy newwave disco tech noir album, danceable, enjoyable and if you get thedrift - nearly pnotizing.

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16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

Doing a search for this band on the internet is frustrating for obviousreasons. But what I can gather is that the band is the brainchild ofTom Crossley of Appendix Out fame and Annabel Wright (Aggi from thePastels, of which Tom is a more recent member). It is also the work ofa rotating group of musicians working with Wright and Crossley at hishome, and mixed with nice studio help from John McEntire. Fitting,since the music has a very Tortoise-like vibe to it, but with morevocals by Crossley and Wright. It's loungey, it's relaxing, and it allhas a nice groove anyone can fix on for a time. About half of therecord is instrumental only, and it is on these tracks where most ofthe power of International Airport lies. The tracks with vocals arefine, but tend to be more of the basic pop song structure through theInternational Airport kaleidoscope. This tends to make them a bit morestructured, where this music works best without that sense ofdefinition. The exception to this being the second track, "movingwater," which is just plain beautiful. Wright has a section of the songall to her voice, then Crossley gets his counterpoint, singing partsall his own. The end of the song pares back down to instruments only:majestic, solitary, magic. As a whole, the album possesses a quietpassion that makes it a worthwhile listen. Is it the best record I'veheard this year? No. But there's plenty of potential here...

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16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

Jazzkammer are the Norwegian duo Lasse Marhaug and John Hegre. Aftertwo albums they've opted to make the third a collection of remixes forthe Smalltown Supersound label. This means they have more time forsnowball fights or whatever it is they do to keep themselves amusedwhen they're not creating collages of glitch, noise, pop, static andthose little pasta stars that are good in soup. Although this is acollection of remixes, it holds together pretty well as an album takingin candle flicker glitchscapes from relatively unknown Norwegians, bigloping looping international laptop noise eruptions from Pita, ZbigniewKarkowski and Merzbow and some deep haunting ambience from FranciscoLÑpez and Reynols. The biggest name amongst mixers is Thurston Moore(didn't he used to play kazoo for the Butthole Surfers or something?)and after I picked up a great little free jazz freak out Schneiderremix of his from a bargain bin, I was curious to hear what he'd get upto here. He basically hacks up a lot of noise skree with cackhandedscratch attacks on jazz and disco cheese and the effect is like quicklytuning a radio dial whilst all the stations are broadcastingcompetitions for the worst DJ on the most fucked up turntable. Somepeople in very popular rock bands obviously don't take themselves asseriously as Radiohead, for which I'm grateful!
Most of this has the aura of Mego-like laptop feuds, and Pita of Megois present and incorrect. Sometimes Jazzkammer gets cranked up to fullon aural assault, at others it crackles away to itself in thebackground. Perhaps the most curious of the Norwegian tracks is thesilly 'I Hate Cars (Super Chicken Floppy Willy in a PPP Swimsuit)' fromMaja S.K. Ratkje during which she splices up maniacal laughter withgrinding soundcard flotsam and rapid peak and trough tough noise edits.It rises to a succinctly effective crescendo that puts the more wellknown noiseniks in the shade.
Latterly TV Pow slowly builds up subtle eerie drones under a canopy ofgrasshopper leg crackle, until suddenly the hum shifts to theforeground. JÀrgen Traeen changes the mood with a rapid cut up'Dupermix' which stutters and splurts like clipped mute firecrackers.
Two tracks stand out a mile from the rest. The closing epic of slowseeping high tones and stretched glitch pitches from Francisco LÑpez isthe most involving, evolving and enjoyable thing I've heard from him,and if there aren't recordings of icey winds howling on this then itreally is even more uncanny in its glacial eeriness. The similarlyreflective deep droner from Argentinian trio Reynols is beautifullyassured enough to have me keeping an ear out for them in future.Towards the end of it some indecipherable vocal noises are prettyunsettling, sounding like some struggling lost soul trapped in themachine.

samples:

I Don't Want it to Go That Far (Jazzkammer)
Freemix Norwave (Thurston Moore)
I Hate Cars (Maja Sk Ratkje)

16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

The "Anti NY" compilation gathers seven songs by bands from the early80s scene that centered around the New York City's Mudd Club (perhapsbest known these days for its invocation in the negative by TalkingHeads, i.e."This ain't no..."). The sound stems from the collision ofpunk, disco and electronic noise that coincided with No Wave (bandslike the Contortions or DNA) and the beginnings of rap. While the songsare certainly fantastic, I can only offer a qualified recommendationfor this comp due to the needless inclusion of five "remixes" at theend that do little more than take up space.
The groups' names might not be instantly familiar to you, but severalof the players should be. The percussive noise trio Gray is actuallypainter Jean-Michel Basquiat and early hip-hop promoter Michael Holman.The electro-funk blast of the Del/Byzanteens was led by future director(and member of John Lurie's Lounge Lizards) Jim Jarmusch. Industrialnoises and proto-hip-hop collide on a track by graffitti artistRammellzee and Death Comet Crew, aka filmmaker and future creator ofclub hit "The Dominatrix Sleeps Tonight" Stuart Argabright. A song bythe writer Vivien Goldman includes contributions from improvisingpianist Steve Beresford and PiL guitarist Keith Levene. Of particularnote is the sexy-as-hell "If I Gave You A Party" by the approriatelynamed Sexual Harassment, which calls to mind the Manchester industrialstreet-party sound of A Certain Ratio. Every track on the CD's firsthalf is remarkable, a fantastic portrait of the dancier facet of NoWave NY. At the time that these bands existed, reactionaries decriedthe invasion of an "art school" element into DIY punk rock, but historymore than bears these folks out as fearless and creative musicians. NewYork must have been an exiting place then!
However (here it comes): the disc includes only one song by each of theseven bands, and then (note the last few words of the albumconspicuously lengthy title) five remixes by contemporary producers.The remixes seem to imply a connection between the early 80s scene thatthe CD documents and current house music and techno. Whether or notthis is a valid point being made by the compilers (it may well be), theeffect as a complete album is jarring, unnecessary, and notparticularly illuminating. First of all, the mixes (by Funkstorung,Paul Mogg, and others) are dull compared to the originals. Second, thegeneological line that I assume is being drawn would have been far moreeffective by an essay or two. Instead, I'm left wishing that anadditional tune by each group was present, rather than the superfuous(and by now clich³) remixes. It seems as if "Anti NY" wants to be twothings at once, both a document and a tribute. By presenting not enoughdocument and a half-assed tribute, it fall short of both. www.gomma.de

16 December 2001

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Albums and Singles

Sorry, it's not a full-length album of all-new material, it's theirsecond collection of remixes bearing Funkstörung's name. This timearound, the range of inputs is varied beyond expectations and usualsuspects. The charmingly timid yet curiously infectious Jay JayJohanson imediately springs to mind, as most electronica purists rolltheir eyes or make motions with their fingers in their throats. Lookout, however because word on the street is that the Funkstörung duo ofMichael Fakesch and Chris de Luca are producing the Swedish crooner'snext album. The track on here, "I Want Some Fun" is as cheesy as thetitle suggests, but the production is undeniably top-notch. Beans fromthe Antipop Consortium joins the German duo for an exclusive track,"Salt" (which samples a classic laid back Jay Jay Johanson organ riff)while A Guy Called Gerald's track with Louise Rhodes gets astylistically d'n'b finishing touch which would make any Lamb fantremble. Other remixes include those from the post-post-kraut popstersThe Notwist (hey, when's that new fucking album coming?) and apreviously-released remix of Tocotronic. My personal friend and soulmate, Speedy J gets doused with annoying repetition on "Something ForYour Mind," however no-age decomposer Jean Michelle Jarre pleasantlygets more beef than he's ever used to hearing. The packaging's cool yetslightly irritating as it will certainly rip at some point. On top ofthat, it has graphics printed on the inside of the glued cardboard, butit sure as hell gives any Funkstörung fan the opportunity to avoidspending their money on things they probably normally wouldn't get.Indulge.

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