I recently got a demo tape from Geordan Drummond (g-d@worldnet.att.net),
and the damn thing was so strong I had to say something about it. I asked
G if he'd be willing to respond to requests for dubs and he said he would...
This tape has been in heavy rotation since I got it, and I must say
it it equals the best records I've bought all year. Loud, distorted
and snotty at times, mellow and dubby at others, it wears well. And
throughout, some entirely gifted drum programming.
As far as what it sounds like, the closest referent is the Seefeel/Disjecta
sound. The downtempo numbers echo the 'Succour'-era drum programming.
Perhaps 'Tamphex' era Aphex-twin is echoed in the faster numbers. Throughout
the dips into over-the-top distortion remind me more of New York noise
bands like Sonic Youth than any British electronic outfit.
My only complaint is that it occasionally relies too heavily on flanged
percussion. A little flanging goes an awfully long way with me.
Slimy Togs: Fender Rhodes, laid back percussion, almost acid-jazz feel.
then a bass line creeps in, with some free-styling on the
percussion. Great organ pads. A great groove...
Mag Wheels: reverby organ loop (afx-ish) seefeel-ish beats and ... pizzacato
strings? A trip!
Lint Ping-Pong: Bouncy, swing beats, organ, and murky clanking.
Stampede Dust: More up tempo dub that creeps into D&B territory.
Smeared Crepescule: Mournful organ, dub loop that goes subtly into double time.
Spiral Steps: A nice play of 3 against 2 in the rhythm dept. though I'm
not sure drum and bass in 12/8 will ever catch on...
Cake Roll: This is the key track. Goofy tweaky solo synth line that
play with, against, and around some D&B drum programming.
goofy little melodies peek in and out of atonal syncopation.
IT ENDS TOO SOON. A must.
Gas Guzzler: Noisy droney pounder, not my favorite.
Bird Gravel: Seefeel-like beats, way deep bass line. organ drone.
Lot's o good percussion workout...
Gear Chains: amazing percussion workout, almost junglish, but
as though Sonic Youth were making jungle.
Ocean Drizzle Mirage: Heavy chorus organ loop. dubby beats.
Cough Spew: Fucked up break beats, massive distorted bass line.
Torture Ratchet Set: Dub tempo, distorted filtered percussion. Great
groove. Extreme distortion, distortion so fat it
should get it's own zip code.
Velvet Rickshaw: FM bells, mid tempo drums ... then some distorto beats
creep in. Breaks down nicely from time to time.
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"Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake
and thine often infirmities" -- First Timoth 5:25, to which I can
only add "Spodee Odee!"
Home Page, featuring Reagan on Black Velvet, the EMP Compilation CD,
samples of my music, etc
http://soli.inav.net/~kent/
Kent Williams kent@inav.net
CADSI 2651 Crosspark Road Coralville IA 52241
(319) 338 6053 (home)
(319) 626 6700 x 219 (work)
(319) 626 3489 (fax)