As requested, here's Cranes are Sleeping, released in 2000 on LP via Thurston Moore's exquisite Ecstatic Peace label. First time i've heard this, but seems to be more focused on squealing feedback, tension and release than on six string rumblings, verging on power-noise oscillator fondling. Possibly along the lines of a very restrained Merzbow or Kevin Drumm.The opener, Airlike Metal Web, is almost unbearably tense, like a Bernard Hermann string crescendo drawn out nigh on 9 minutes long, only to unleash An Emperor's Second Ascent, which sounds like a swarm of robotic bats swooping down to pick out yr eyeballs. No respite there. Sex Layer Cake sounds like a cyborg mammoth emerging from a tarpit; hypnotic, chugging, powerful, distraught. Some vintage power-squealing going on here. So far, this is the most Power-Electronics record i've heard Campbell Kneale do yet, who tends to focus on syrupy codeine-infused guitar washes. Sort of cool to see him get down, and who doesn't like to make a power noise record, now and again? One interesting thing, is without the entire bass-frequency range spoken for with viscous ooze, there's more room for subliminal rattlings and shakings, giving the impression of live electro-improv jams going on in his fabled shed, after the fam's gone to bed.
The title track seems a bit more organic, with some seemingly string manipulation going on, and is more mournful than the rest. Gives the sensation of a chorus of sirens crying out warning, beating, phasing and distorting in the early morning ear, occasionally interspersed with garbled loudspeaker admonitions. The final track, Love, Lies, Bleeding, is short and sweet, a mere 2 and a half minutes, and sounds like a nursery rhyme, if you were lying in a kiddy pool full of jello. Serene and sort of creepy. Overall, this record is more concise than other BCM albums, 5 tracks most around 8 to ten minutes long. No 40 minute long burners here. This is definitely a unique addition to Campbell Kneale's staggeringly huge ouevre, and shows that he's no one-trick pony. So one final note, is that i will be on the road the next couple of days, going to explore the mighty prehistoric landscapes of Utah's Zion National Park, but i've got several items queued up to explore on the road. So, in the meantime, explore some of the back catalog here, have a nice work week, and i'll see you this weekend!
Birchville Cat Motel - Cranes are Sleeping
Hey thanks for the albums. If it wasn't for you, I would've never heard Bleach's stuff. I think they're just as impressive as MBV, except Bleach doesn't need the extra year of post production & mic positioning. Bleach is like the Nirvana of shoegaze, they just spit the stuff out & it sounds good with no fussing about. Didn't think I'd ever see the day when I found a band close to MBV, but Bleach is it to me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Heyoka & Danielle Dax are great. I recently heard Rhythm & Sound, you've probably heard it, but I like that as well.
Wow, that was fast. Thanks for posting it. I'm looking forward to hearing this. Have a nice vacation.
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments, y'all. Nice to know yr out there, plus what people are into. Make sure to stay tuned, i've got a bunch of killer shit planned!
ReplyDeleteps... i HAVE heard rhythm and sound, and they're pretty f'ing great. I went through a total Basic Channel fascination, 'bout 4 months ago. And as for Bleach, i'm glad you liked them, as well. I sort of fanatically research Shoegaze music, always looking for something new and interesting. I think the term 'Nirvana of Shoegaze' is pretty astute.
Thanks. Ok, Basic Channel is the main label & then Rhythm & Sound is a sub-label. That stuff is other worldly & a perfect switch from all the guitar-based songs in my music vocabulary. Good for a change. Most of their music has got this dark soundscape to it, but then when they sing on some of their songs its got a positive energy & soul behind it. It's balancing dark atmosphere with light-emitting vocals, which is very rare & interesting. Yeah, I'm digging into the whole discography. Should keep my busy for a while.
ReplyDeletehey, if you get a chance, keep me posted on what you find. I've liked what i've heard, but sometimes have a hard time keeping all the different music straight. A primer would be grand! I'll try and post some dub-techno here, soon. Have you gotten into any of the detroit techno stuff yet? The underground resistance label is SUBLIME!
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you posted on what I find. Gonna have to switch to headphones while in my car so I can really hear & appreciate those amazing minimalist bass grooves! Never been exposed to Detroit techno yet, but I'm all ears. I've been "Bleached"-out as I've been listening to them for 5 weeks straight everyday in my car.
ReplyDeleteI tend to be self-destructive myself & this Basic Channel stuff really relaxes me, so it's great medicine for my paranoid brain. Now I'm dreaming of buying those $100 bose earbuds. Ever try'em?
rockin' a pair of stanton dj pro 3000 headphones these days, pillowy ear-muff type that you can wear for 12 hours comfortably. They are pretty much my best friends, these days :). However, a friend of mine uses the Bose and speaks quite highly of them, and would probably be better for the car. I ride a bike, personally, so i can more easily sink into an auditory world of my own.
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