Tim Hecker - "An Imaginary Country" CD

Montreal-based electronic composer Hecker is a veteran sound artist who dabbles in a variety of styles and installation/commission pieces, but his recordings under his own name are his primary focus, and thankfully so. 'An Imaginary Country' is a lovely and ambient set of sounds that pulse and shift like ethereal spirits engaging in colorful flights around the Earth's polar regions. This is ambient, but it's not audio wallpaper in the least. Hecker's immersive atmospheres are warm and human, with little slivers of melody evident. 'Sea Of Pulses' brings in some dubby bass undercurrents to accent the shimmering drones, grounding the piece nicely, and bringing a warmer side to the fore. Very effective. 'The Inner Shore' follows seamlessly, functioning as a kind of cooldown/chillout point to it's predecessor. 'Pond Life' ushers in some more dissonant, static noise elements, whereas 'Borderlands' could almost be seen as deep-sea classical music, featuring some digitally effected piano sounds - all blurry and funhouse-like. 'Currents Of Electrostasy' is more placid and even contemplative. Overall, 'An Imaginary Country' paints a timeless and captivating picture of nature as seen through a cracked digital eye. (Kranky)

Tim Hecker's website

"Metal Machine Music - Nine Inch Nails And The Industrial Uprising" DVD

A curious account, this one. It's basically a NIN bio, completely unauthorized, but legitimized by the participation of former Nails Chris Vrenna and Rich Patrick, who have both gone on to successful careers in their own bands (Tweaker and Filter, respectively). Other writers and critics also have their say regarding Trent Reznor's rise, from his synthpop roots to his well-publicized battles with former record company TVT, to his recent experiments in alternative marketing and his successful back-to-DIY aesthetic. It's a solid and critical appraisal of NIN's albums. Clips from promo videos and live footage bolster the film well, as do some fine interviews with Jared Louche (of Chemlab) and Eric Powell (16 Volt) - both peers of Reznor. On the other hand, at least one writer featured here is purely sycophantic in his adulation/adoration for NIN...good for a chuckle at least.
What's most curious about this DVD is the first half-hour or so, which takes a whole different tact entirely. This is an examination, albeit a rather shallow one, of the beginnings of so-called 'industrial' music - highlighted (and indeed, made by) an extensive interview with Genesis Breyer P-Orridge. It's telling and fascinating, hearing it in her own words. Bits and pieces of live footage of Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Throbbing Gristle, Einsturzende Neubauten, Cabaret Voltaire, and Depeche Mode (??) litter this pre-NIN history. It's nice, though far from thorough. I'd really love to see this all expanded upon, with other important inspirations like Varese, Kraftwerk, Test Dept, Whitehouse, Boyd Rice, Front 242, and others included. But that's a whole different story altogether.
As it is, this 2+ hour documentary is an exceptional watch for NIN fans - offering some insight and rare footage. Maybe it is a bit surface, but this may be as close as we'll ever get to a true and definitive bio of Reznor and his NIN persona. (Chrome Dreams/Sexy Intellectual)

John Frusciante - "The Empyrian" CD

Frusciante's day job as guitarist for the Red Hot Chili Peppers may be his best-known gig, but it's far from his finest work. When he's not touring or recording with mates Anthony, Flea, and Chad, John rounds up a few (other) friends and releases often wildly-disparate solo recordings. His latest, recorded from 2006 to 2008, combines his ever-growing sense of melody and pop songwriting finesse with his predilections for out-there sonic explorations. 'The Empyrian' is a modern-day psychedelic masterpiece, with narcotic, drifty textures and woozy, mellow arrangements. His lulling and starry cover of Tim Buckley's transcendent 'Song To The Siren' is apt and well-done, and 'Unreachable' is a trippy and floaty rock song packed with space and depth. 'Dark Light' begins introspective and ambient before transforming into an inspirational pop song (perhaps the closest to the RHCP he gets on this fine album). Other tunes are tuneful and flighty ('Heaven' is sweet and nicely orchestrated).
Frusciante's become a wholly confident and infinitely stronger songwriter since his rather embarrassing early albums (the result of a very horrific drug habit long since banished). 'The Empyrian' is the culmination of years of experience, and this is the sound of a man who's seen life from higher highs (and lower lows) than most of us rightfully should. He's a worldly-wise head with a need to move beyond mind and body, and this album is perfect for such space travels. (Record Collection)

John's personal site

"Wicked Lake" (director: Zach Passero)

Hmm. So I keep trying to think of something good to say about this no-budget sleaze/horror flick by Texan director Passero. It's made notable due to the inclusion of a 'score' arranged by Alien Jourgensen. And the man hisself appears in it, albeit briefly. But even THAT I can complain about. It's not so much a soundtrack as a sampler of Jourgensen's 13th Planet songs - album cuts from Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Prong, Ascension Of The Watchers, etc. Ah well. The film? Well, it's a tale centered around a quartet of lovely (and often naked) college girls who give a backward hick-town (and it's nasty, predatory men) more than they bargained for. It's bloody, mean, crude, and really pretty poorly scripted. The titillation is mild and pedestrian, even cold. The characters are unlikeable and undeveloped. The acting is often choppy and over the top, and the blood is, well, the strong point of 'Wicked Lake'. Not a film for discriminating horror fans, and probably only of interest due to the Ministry/Revco connection. Nah.

Wicked Lake flash site

Olafur Arnalds - "Variations Of Static" CDEP

With just his second release, Icelandic composer Arnalds creates a vibrant and intimately beautiful set of 5 instrumental tunes that combine the austere classical melancholy of Arvo Part with the modern sounds of glitchy electronica (think Autechre or Aphex Twin). It's an incredible (and all too-short) collection, embracing rich and sonorous strings, bittersweet piano, and, on occasion, looping yet subtle textural manipulations. The first track, "Fok", marries some minimal booms and skitters to the sensitive string/piano foundation, and "Lokaðu Augunum" is a stunning treat in the ambient tradition of Stars Of The Lid. As a complete work, this 21+ minute release flows effortlessly, ripe with emotion and delicacy. 'Variations Of Static' is a mature, thoughtful, rich, and stylish set of warmly evocative music that shows Olafur has quite a future if he can keep up this kind of quality. That's a full-on recommendation. (Erased Tapes)

Olafur's personal site

Pan American - "White Bird Release" CD

Mark Nelson (formerly of Labradford)'s 6th album as Pan American is a superlative and evocative set of dense, moody, and atmospheric proto-ambient soundtracks. And with the addition of drums, vibraphone, and bass to some tracks, the approach seems to lend an almost 'band' feel in spots. The opener, 'there can be no thought of finishing', is an ambient glacier of tones and shoegazey-distant vox. 'for aiming at the stars' brings on a dubby bass rhythm to accompany the Fripp-ish guitar textures. 'both literally and figuratively' continues the lonely, natural travelogue with wide-open vistas of blurred guitars, bass, and drums - and accented by whispery vocals. This is perhaps the closest Nelson's Pan American project has come to making 'pop' music in the broad sense. 'how much progress one makes' harkens back to Pan American's earlier works - a submerged minimal electronic pulse that seems like an underwater approximation. The closer, 'in a letter to H.G. Wells, 1932', is a gentle drone that eventually builds itself up to the point of being a cacophony of electronic static. If Pan American seeks to paint expansive visuals in sound form, then 'White Bird Release' is unequivocally a success, conjuring a sense of nature with a hint (or warning) of something bigger than us. This is some truly beautiful music that follows no formulas, yet ends up affirming what is really important about life - the journey. (Kranky)

Pan American info@kranky

Labradford site

Ambers and reds in winter...

Ah, the frigid winter already has me longing for the spring (especially with the perplexingly massive heating bills I've accrued - gasp). But alas, the beer choices this month harken back to the fall, with one amber and a pair of reds. Here are my takes on the three 'new' beers presented to me this month. The grading scale goes from 5 (truly a craft brew, I'll be buying more on my own) to 1 (swill, only good for cleaning out the drains). That leaves 4 (solid and worthy), 3 (average beer, drinkable but not recommendable), and 2 (fair beer, but borderline swill). Geddit? Sure you do. On we go:

MICHELOB HOP HOUND AMBER WHEAT (St. Louis, MO) - 2

A fresh and summery aroma begins this one auspiciously enough. It's a cloudy, citrusy wheat ale that supposedly uses premium Hallertau and Pacific Northwest hops, but this rich and not-hoppy brew disappoints. The overly malty presence overweighs the hoppiness, and thus I have to call tomfoolery here. My expectations were not met. Maybe if they changed the name, I'd be more inclined to like Hop Hound. As it stands, I cannot commit here, no sir.

MISHAWAKA BREWING - FOUR HORSEMEN IRISH-STYLE RED ALE (Mishawaka, IN) - 3

This darker-hued (deep brown) 'red' ale has a rich and unusual (and appealing) floral nose and a complex malty flavor that stabilizes on the tongue. Mishawaka doesn't talk up this one, as there's no details on the bottle, but it's a tad more complex and hearty (for lack of a better word) than Michelob's Irish red reviewed here. This one's unquestionably a craft beer, not perfect but not bad, either.

MICHELOB - IRISH RED ALL-MALT ALE (St. Louis, MO) - 4

Pours a clean deep amber, with a fruity bouquet. Taste is almost pumpkin-ish at first, with a clean and clear finish. No surprises here, but it's more than drinkable - in fact, I had finished more than half the bottle before beginning my review! This one takes me back to my bachelor days, sipping on pints of Killian's and getting into all kinds of trouble! But that's a whole 'nother story. Hah! Me likes.