Senking "Trial" Raster-Noton static 4 2000 (40:04)
Flaw (4:25)
Wind
Up (4:54)
Lurk (4:45)
Trackdown (4:21)
Hide
Out (8:26)
Pell-Mell (4:56)
Dent
(4:00)
Lift (4:17)
"Trial" is the fourth cd by Jens Massel as Senking and the sixth of seven releases to date in Raster-Noton's 'static series', all of which are packaged in anti-static bags (see also COH "Enter Tinnitus" and "Vox Tinnitus"). Massel arranges effected electronic sounds into essentially single riff songs with dub, glitch and minimalist qualities. The 8 tracks are aptly titled, most between 4 and 5 minutes. "Flaw" fires up with a snap, crackle and pop of static and submarine sonar pings. "Wind Up" is busy with rolling pops, bass bumps, mechanical winding and steam hisses. "Lurk" and "Trackdown" would make an appropriate soundtrack for cinematic stalking, playing down the beats some for dark drone, hiss and click. "Hide Out" is the center and master piece, an 8 and 1/2 minute pattern of warm, melodic dub. "Pell-Mell" rumbles along with blips, ticks and a short vocoded sample. "Dent" skips along merrily with deep bass under the crackle and buzz of a power line surge. "Lift" caresses with high pitched clicks, swooping tones and watery plunks. "Trial" is pleasant enough with a good bit of stylistic variety but not much of a progression and not too terribly memorable. Once again, I'd be happier with a single or double disc compilation of select tracks from all of Massel's many releases to date as Senking, Fumble and Kandis ...
Where did I get this cd? - mail order via Riouxs Records.