[sorry for the crosspost]
Terre Thaemiltz: G.R.R.L.
Comotonse Recordings C.003
1997
I got several interested reactions from the ambient list when I posted 48
hours ago that I was just about to listen to the new CD by listmember
Terre Thaemiltz. However, this recording is not ambient, but it is
interesting. More IDMish than ambient.
When I first put it on, I walked away from the equipment, but almost
immediately I had this very strong urge to go back and adjust my little
mixing board because the sound was so distorted. I had not made any
adjustments to the equipment after the last CD, but sometimes one CD will
overdrive the equipment while another will be very quiet. When I went
back to the controls, everything was fine, but for the next hour or so I
was "subjected" to distorted d-n-b, distorted electro, and even a bit of
distorted techno-house. This is beaty, rhythmic stuff which Terre has
subdivided for the listener into several categories including "electro
breakdance," "minimal techno," "80's Chicago," and "Techxotica &
Electrocynicism."
There is a sticker-like imprintation on the back cover that proclaims "11
chart-stoppers inspired by the boardroom mentality that brought you Space
Jam!" And then inside "G.R.R.L. embraces Space Jam as a powerful
deconstruction of the cultural fabrication of desire, as exemplefied by
its lackluster appeal despite shameless over-financing and
over-promotion."
I guess distorted is the key word here. Almost every beat sounds like a
hammer hitting a piece of sheet metal. Personally I favor distortion and
lo-fi-ness, but this might drive some of our ambienteers to distraction.
Comparisons? This is tough. Something like the distorted jungle of Luke
Vibert crossed with Autechre or something like Freeform...get the idea?
Rating: try-before-you-buy (I like it)
On now: NPR
jim
"Without music life would be a mistake."
-- Friedrich Nietzsche--