CITR’s 24 Hours of Radio Art in a snack sized format. Dark Ambient. Drone. Field Recordings. Noise. Sound Art. Or something.
This Friday night’s broadcast features more from Síria, Adventurous Music’s 5th Anniversary and Eighth Tower Records’ Stalker / Andrej Tarkowskij collections, new France Jobin – both solo, and in collaboration with Yamil Rezc (‘Un día en México‘); plus 400 Lonely Things, Enrico Coniglio, Dronny Darko, and Fail.
Starting at Midnight Pacific on CITR 101.9FM, streaming at PLAYER.CITR.CA
(France Jobin Photo Credit: Karlina Knezin)
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New Music Reviews By Mark Hjorthoy
400 Lonely Things – Apophrenia
What I like best about 400 Lonely Things, is that you never really know what you’re going to hear when you press play. Listed as “not a concept album, it is however thematic” as a first statement, drew me in and made me want to hear it. When I did, I was shrouded and swarmed with aching sounds and soulful, desperate melodies. Taking its cue from “right wing conservative Christian apocalyptica from the 80’s and 90’s” through to Craig Varian’s own experiences with the apocalypse culture of industrial music and film of the 90’s, brings a sense of stifling and suffocation of being that can only be explained as a lived experience. This album is so loaded with brilliant texture that it needs to be heard in its entirety to be fully absorbed. I needed this release. I realized that after listening to it many times. This album is a strikingly great adventure and one that I will not forget. Bravo gents, this one is legendary.
Fail – If Imitation Is the Highest Form Of Flattery, What Is It When I Try to Recreate My Own Past Performance?
Dan Fox is a legend in the noise/experimental/drone community. For twenty years he has tirelessly worked to get unknown artists heard (insert record label here) as well as unleashing his excellent brand of noise into the world. ‘If Imitation Is The Highest Form Of Flattery…‘ is so full of the spirit of Dan, it begs to be listened to. An attempt to recreate a set of live music he played at Apartment Music 48, (which couldn’t be recorded due to technical glitches), is so good, and so haunting that it keeps your attention until the last second. How Dan does what he does is kind of a mystery to me, but in my opinion, no one does noise better than him, and that’s a big statement from me. Go over it a listen and get trapped in the world of Dan. You won’t be sorry. I know that.
France Jobin – Infinite Probabilities (Particle 2)
…and no one does minimal compositions like Montreal’s France Jobin! I’ve just recently been introduced to her work (thanks CITR!), and I’ve quickly become an addict for her floating melodies and brilliant ambient textures. This album is best listened to in headphones. You get the full range of her sonic genius when you do. She makes Canada the coolest place on earth to dream to and I have to go back and re-listen to this genius collection of pieces. Thank you for being you, France! No one does it better.
France Jobin + Yamil Rezc – Un día en México
…and speaking of France Jobin, this collaboration she has done with composer / producer Yamil Rezc (Spectre 007, Get the Gringo) is a musical masterpiece. Their two styles swirl with perfect intent that releases extreme beauty in otherwise harsh environments. Soulful and rich in tonal excellence, this three piece album is a huge win for Line (Sound Art Editions). I wonder what was going through Richard Chartier’s mind when he heard it for the first time? Was he deeply moved? I know I was. I really hope I get to hear another collaboration from these two. Absolute gold. I’m a gushing fan now.