Reviews
Silber Records is a Raleigh, NC outsider
label who focuses on minimal post-modern drone music. Demain is
possibly the best place for virgin ears since it brings a little of this
and a little of that from some of the sound architects associated with
the label.
First out is the low-key drone connoisseurs
of Norwegian Origami Artika with an intense and shivering sound sculpture.
Not near as soothing as they've been on their full-length records but equally
seducing. Peter Aldrich's "Cherry Romero" is slightly more accessible and
a moment of true pleasure with echoing hazed guitars creating wonderful
kaleidoscopic sound patterns. Small Life Form contributes with two short,
immaculate dark aural illusions before My Glass Beside Yours gives us two
angst-laden instrumental tracks with an enchanting mix of synthetic and
organic elements. Remora (w/Aarktica) spins a delicate web of gossamer
with "Ends" that is the starting point for their 6 tracks long section
of the album. "Rivin" is an all too brief effort overflowing with otherworldly
mystery and potent ambient guitarscapes. "Slipsky" is another fine effort
which brings the atmospheric bliss of Hood to mind while the dark and murky
vocals of "Diagnosis" recalls the hypnotic darkness of Roy Montgomery.
And there is still more to come. There
is the maddeningly pulsing percussive noise number "Idiot" from Clang Quartet
and three stunning tracks from Vlor where the cleansing feedback squall
and acid-drenched folk guitar lines of "Guilt Jersey" prove to be the most
hypnotic one. That naturally leads us to the acoustic phrasings of Fade
escorted by beautiful male vocals that reminds me of someone I just can't
seem to find the name of right now. The album closes with the oscillating
and spacious "Each Day Is Like Winter" from Still flowing out of the speakers.
Demain is an interesting document
with a wide sprawl of quiet and loud ambient textures. Perfect for any
meditation and complementation camp.
~ The Broken Face
Many new artists - domestic & international
- represented on this album of looping, drone-piling, sampled & modified
ambiences, minimalism, & tone-wrestling...This genre/these genres of
listening music are the bastard offspring of LaMonte Young, Terry Riley,
Tangerine Dream, Neo, and Phil Glass. Patience is required, and rewarded.
I reviewed scads of sound-art/soundscape music while writing for Option
and Sound Choice in the 80's. Then, the leaders were Mnemonists, Al Margolis,
Jeff Grienke, RRR's output, some things on Cuneiform, and their ilk. Silber
Media is [re-] promulgating a new way of listening; one which dissolves
preservative thought and opens new gates. From Jon DeRosa's liner notes:
'...a culmination of nomadic sound architects & sonic refugees from
around the world...the soundtrack for confusion, frustration, triumph,
& despair.' Great for your mind.
~ Improvijazzation
