It seems that this argument comes up quite a bit, in a variety of places.
Classical / Jazz fans say that rock (and the like) is primitive and
repetitive, while Rock fans counter with the line that jazz has its head in
the clouds and completely misses the point of its forbear, the blues). Art
isn't about the musical talents or complexity of the artist, but the work's
effect on both the presenter and the presented. The artist can express a
subtle mood (which is intrinsically, more deeply powerful) with simple
repetition (read Satie, Ravel, etc.). Enough of the babble, though.
I've been unimpressed with Autechre live. It was several years ago, and I
barely remember the show (just impressions), but I was dozing off in the
middle. To people who have seen them before and recently, are they better?
Whatever, track 6 from =Tri Repetae= has to be one of the best this year
(that gorgeous swirling synth and crushing fuzz: mmmmmmmmm!). The first
time I heard it (luckily on headphones at high volume), I could actually
feel my mind being warped.
As far as the Global Goon discussion goes, has the new Doctor Rockitt album
(=Music of Sound,= Rephlex) already been discussed? It's similarly neurotic
and funky, with wacked-out culinary interludes (the apple bit could crack
your head open at the right volume). Discuss.
------------ Groove On.
------------ John Bush.