Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #20 (4/27/08)

“Four Trees” GHQ Everywhere at Once (CD) [Three Lobed, 2008]

“To Valleys of Beautiful Arson” Yellow Swans Ambient Not Not Ambient (CD) [Audio Dregs, 2008]

“Quiet Eyes” Grouper Ambient Not Not Ambient (CD) [Audio Dregs, 2008]

“Dayrise” Nudge Ambient Not Not Ambient (CD) [Audio Dregs, 2008]

“Sawn Asunder and Left for the Beasts” Gnaw Their Tongues An Epiphanic Vomiting of Blood (CD) [Crucial Blast, 2008]

“Untitled II” Taylor Deupree & Christopher Willits Listening Garden (CD) [Line, 2007]

“Providence 2006” Avarus Kirppujen Saari (LP) [Arbor, 2008]

“Das Ende von Amerika (excerpt)” Dis.playce Das Ende von Amerika (CD-r) [Naivsuper, 2007]

“A Warhead Dons Zithers (excerpt)” Lop Are Those Wizard Hands? (3xCD-r) [Little Fury Things, 2007]

“Golden Loop” Pink Luminous Invocation Sings the Blues (CS) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

“Mon Du Dow” Johnny Guitar Shadow Music of Thailand (LP) [Sublime Frequencies, 2008]

“Pone Tala Pone (Indian)” PM 7 Jupiter Shadow Music of Thailand (LP) [Sublime Frequencies, 2008]

“Ghar Ki Murgi” Van Shipley Bollywood Steel Guitar (CD) [Sublime Frequencies, 2008]

“Superhero” Cheveu Cheveu (LP) [S-S, 2008]

“U-Boat” A-Frames Black Forest (CD) [Sub-Pop, 2005]

“Sign-Expressions” Nadja Desire of Uneasiness (CD) [Crucial Blast, 2008]

“Infinity Showdown” Anvil Salute This is the Voice of Doom Calling (CD-r) [Deep Water Acres, 2008]

“Side A (excerpt)” Changeling Beyond the Edge of Dreams (CS) [Night People, 2008]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #19 (4/20/08)

"Untitled" Monopoly Child Star Searchers Infant Spirituality Rates Coconut Percent (CD-r) [Pacific City, 2008]

"Untitled" NASA Bummer Daze (CS) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

"Koisun Ching" The Son of P.M. Shadow Music of Thailand (LP) [Sublime Frequencies, 2008]

"Pama Rum Kwan" P.M. Pocket Music Shadow Music of Thailand (LP) [Sublime Frequencies, 2008]

"The Warmth That Awaits Me" Sparkling Wide Pressure Guide Me Little Tape (CD-r) [Digitalis LTD., 2008]

"The, the House" Padna The Shore That Feared the Sea (CD/DVD) [Little Fury Things, 2007]

"African Rhythms" Mi Ami African Rhythms (LP) [White Denim, 2008]

"Root Furs" Mincemeat or Tenspeed All Critters (LP) [Deathbombarc/Big Monies Tapes/Malleable, 2008]

"Walking East of Eden" Lanterns Mad River (CD-r) [Housecraft, 2008]

"Larks on a String" Cursillistas Wasp Stings The Last Flavor (CD) [Digitalis, 2008]

"Balance of Convenience" Grey Daturas Return to Disruption (CD) [Neurot, 2008]

"Side A" Alistair Crosbie Sad Faces of the Moon (CS) [Peasant Magik, 2008]

"Pieces" Blank Dogs On Two Sides (LP/CS) [Troubleman Unlimited/Fuck It Tapes, 2008]

"Secret Correspondence 2" Double Leopards Halve Maen (2xLP) [Eclipse, 2004]

"Black Cat Lament" Ex-Cocaine Ex-Cocaine/Yellow Swans Split (LP) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #18 (4/13/08)

"Gold Ropes" Bulbs Light Ships (CD) [Freedom to Spend, 2008]

"Dead Families" Eat Skull Dead Families (7") [Skulltones, 2008]

"Ooh Doo Daa" Christian Science Minotaur Map 1 of 9 (CD-r) [Little Fury Things, 2007]

"Saw the Legs" Foot Foot Trumpet (CD) [Oedipus/Aagoo, 2008]

"Stone Cold Steve Austin at the Stone Cold Creamery" Barrabarracuda Thrash Sabbatical (LP+2x7") [Deathbomb Arc, 2007]

"Side A" Xiphiidae Bronze Hut (CS) [Houscraft, 2008]

"Phony Detectives" Psychedelic Horseshit Who Let the Dogs Out? (7") [Columbus Discount, 2008 (repress)]

"Sexy Music" Ex-Cocaine Ex-Cocaine/Yellow Swans Split (LP) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

"Filthy Tongue" Leo Mars Lightears (CD-r) [Naivsuper, 2008]

"Explosive Soul" Talibam! The Inexcusable Earthling (LP) [Pendu Sound, 2007]

"Gilded Feathers/First Flight over Ashen Trees" Tricorn & Queue Tapestry Head Ban (CS) [Houscraft, 2008]

"Here is Where the Body Lay" Lop-Lop Are Those Wizard Hands? (3xCD-r) [Little Fury Things, 2007]

"Too Popular" The Pizzas Bad Ass Youth (7") [Daggerman, 2008]

"Comedy Hypnosis" Yellow Swans Ex-Cocaine/Yellow Swans Split (LP) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

"Unveiled Nightmare" Ilyas Ahmed The Vertigo of Dawn (CD/LP) [Time-Lag, 2008]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #17 (3/9/08)

“16th March 2004 #1” United Bible Studies Live at the Warehouse (CD-r) [Leaf Trail, 2007]

“Protective Nourishment” Foot Village Friendship Nation (CD) [Tome, 2008]

“Protective Nourishment (Robedoor Remix)” Foot Village Friendship Nation (CD) [Tome, 2008]

“Live Nov. 10 05 NYC” Hototogisu Live! 2005-2006 (CS) [Heavy Blossom, 2007]

“Untitled” Fat Legs Fat Legs/Terror Tank split (CD-r) [Big Fat Noise, 2008]

“Throne of Chalcedony” Fursaxa Maidenstone (7”) [Mt. St. Mtn., 2008]

“Learning to Swim” David Newlyn A Nervous State of Mind (CS) [Abandon Ship, 2007]

“Le Dernier Villageois” The Cosmic Mandoliners Colorn Lincorn (CD-r) [Ruralfaune, 2007]

“Swallow Its Stem” Impregnable Pink Thorn (CS) [Ekhein, 2007]

“Descent 1” Descension Yellow Swans Descension Yellow Swans (CD/LP) [Acuarela/Three Lobed, 2007]

“Meltdown Cloud” Blank Dogs On Two Sides (LP/CS) [Troubleman Unlimited/Fuck It Tapes, 2008]

“Untitled” Terror Tank Fat Legs/Terror Tank split (CD-r) [Big Fat Noise, 2008]

“Paved Fury/Motor Hands” Kevin Shields Thrash Sabbatical (LP+2x7”) [Deathbomb Arc, 2007]

“Side B” The Xul People Cultural Series 2012 (CS) [Dreamtime Taped Sounds, 2008]

mp3: part 1 part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #16 (3/2/08)

“Bees” Death Chants I Have Seen A Thousand Swim Through Darker Skies Than These (CS one-sided) [Sloow Tapes, 2006]

“Dial 747-Creepozoid” Lamborghini Crystal Dial 747-Creepozoid (CS) [New Age Cassettes, 2007]

“The Blackest Medicine” The Folk Spectre The Blackest Medicine (LP) [Woodsist, 2007]

“I Know a Lot of People Who Should Be Dead, and You’re One of Them” Warmth JK Tapes 1 (2xCS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

“Narasimha” Sir Richard Bishop Earth/Sir Richard Bishop Split (LP) [Southern Lord, 2008]

“Drum Movie” Valet Naked Acid (CD) [Kranky, 2008]

“Southgate House, Newport KY, August 2005” Yellow Swans & Burning Star Core Yellow Swans & Burning Star Core (LP) [Blossoming Noise, 2007]

“Born to Live Life” Black Vatican Zed Omega (CS) [Night People, 2007]

“Untitled” Poor School The Holy Master (LP) [Ecstatic Peace!, 2008]

“The Peacock Angels Lament” Earth Earth/Sir Richard Bishop Split (LP) [Southern Lord, 2008]

“Lucifer Rising” Aaron Dilloway Lucifer Rising (LP one-sided) [Hanson, 2007]

“Side A (excerpt)” Splash Splash (CS) [New Age Cassettes, 2007]

mp3: part 1 part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #15 (2/24/08)

“Vihaan Vitusti Kaikkea Mita Kulutusyhteiskunnan Aikaansaama Pinnallinen Alkoholiin Perustuva Sosiaalinen Kayttaytymiskulttuuri Edustaa” Futurians Futurians Play The Breathtaking Sounds Of Tivol (7”) [Soft Abuse, 2008]

“Aquemini” Black Forest/Black Sea Portmanteau (10”) [Secret Eye, 2008]

“Relleno For Kings” Slurp Dogs Postal Licks (CS one-sided) [Sloow Tapes, 2008]

“Under the Clouds of Sleep” Du Hexen Hase Under the Clouds of Sleep (3” CD-r) [No Label, 2008]

“Chthonic Exterior (feat. Crystal Dragon)” Drunjus Enceladus (CD-r) [Peasant Magik, 2008 (forthcoming)]

“Attempting Posture” Cooper Jones Cooper Jones/Cars (CS) [Night People, 2007]

“Void Lake 2” Haunted Castle Void Lake (CD-r) [Arbor, 2007]

“Blood Honey 2” The Holy See Blood Honey (CD-r) [Digitalis, 2008]

“Untitled 1” Sean McCann Dreem Ordeal (CD-r) [No Label, 2008]

“Motorcade” The Goslings Occasion (CD) [Not Not Fun, 2008]

“Freedom of Pollen/Floodstory of Warwick” Jazzfinger King Murnam (CS) [JK Tapes, 2008]

mp3: part 1 part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #14 (2/17/08)

“Side A” Slicing Grandpa Big Monster Canadian Goat (CS) [Goaty Tapes, 2008]

“Side A” Ben Nash Magnetophon 8 (CS one-sided) [Sloow Tapes, 2007]

“Side B” Ajilvsga Behind the Masked Spirit (CS) [JK Tapes, 2008]

“Iced Beat/Slow Pan” Non-Horse Evil Eye Broadcast (CS) [Tape Tektoniks, 2007]

“Side A” Mossy Throats Wing Socket (CS) [Goaty Tapes, 2008]

“Fear of the Bark” Single Helix The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Dog (CD-r) [Screeching Snowflake, 2008]

“Vole 1” Slasher Risk Vole (CS) [Abandon Ship, 2008]

“Double Reflection” Treetops Cool Runnings (CD-r) [Digitalis LTD., 2008]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #13 (2/10/08)

“Untitled” Silver Daggers Silver Daggers/Child Pornography Split (CS) [JK Tapes, 2008]

“Scurvy Seamen” Human Adult Band Impotent & Filthy (CS) [Abandon Ship, 2008]

“Trench Tide Zone” Sparkling Wide Pressure Guide Me Little Tape (CD-r) [Digitalis LTD., 2008]

“Webcam/The Divorce” John Thill The Sluts (CS) [JK Tapes, 2008]

“Alp Turqoisii” The Cosmic Mandoliners Colorn Lincorn (CD-r) [Ruralfaune, 2007]

“Photosynthesis (Excerpt)” Century Plants Without Mercury (CS) [Abandon Ship, 2007]

“Side B” Family Battle Snake Sudden Hole Equation (CS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

“The Secret Gregorian Plug-in” Xenis Emputae Travelling Band & Jani Hellen Sing With Me (CD-r) [Harha-Askel, 2008]

“Happened in the Sun/Moccasin Stamp” Cursillistas Wasp Stings The Last Flavor (CD) [Digitalis, 2008]

“Side B” Traum Ecke Traum Ecke (CS) [Goaty Tapes, 2008]

“Sea Cave” Bonecloud Teenage Lycanthropy (CD-r) [Leaf Trail, 2007]

“Final Mission” Gallows Gallows/Pillars of Heaven/Wether/Deerstalker Split (2xCS) [Peasant Magik/No Horse Shit, 2007]

“Observatory Cg III” Arecaceae Observatory Cg II & III (Coconut of Teotihuacan) (CD-r) [New Age Cassettes, 2007]

“Evergreen Lore” The North Sea Snakeroot Ceremony (CD-r) [Phantom Limb, 2007]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2

Du Hexen Hase – Under the Clouds of Sleep [No Label]

Hey, a quick (but awesome) one here. This is a 3inch by local (Seattle) act Du Hexen Hase, which I know little about other than its Adam from Dull Knife’s other slammin’ drone trio. Adam gave me this at a totally killer show with masters of the universe Yellow Swans a while back and anyway, I’ve really been slacking on the reviews so I’m just now finally giving this CD-r its due. Also worth noting, the guys list Mitch Hedburg as an influence on their myspace page, so my question to you is: how can they not be great?
“Under the Clouds of Sleep” is a single 17.5 minute track. It sounds like there is maybe two guitars though I suppose it could be one looping over itself. There are plenty of others groans and creaks emanating from who knows what, doubling the track’s mystifying-ness. My favorite thing about the track is its melodic sensibilities. Despite the eerie, almost film-score vibe, there are many moments of beauty in the rotted greyness. The guitarplaying is the element providing the melody and it really anchors the track, so whoever was playing guitar during this session—gold star to you. There are a few layers, particularly a simple repeated arpeggio and a really great almost shimmering staccato type part that pops up occasionally. As the track moves along various bits of electronics noise curls around the frame of the guitar playing. This track is really strange for me to listen to, because it’s an incredibly pleasant listen yet it almost always makes me think of grim, incredibly unpleasant things like a plane crash or a post-apocalyptic world. Under the Clouds of Sleep is like Cormac McCarthy’s The Road but done d.i.y. drone style. Du Hexen Hase conjure up the sonic equivalent of the smoke rising from ashes and burnt rubble. Sorry to get so bleak on you but, hey, I can’t help it. Some ephemeral elements I particularly like towards the end of the track are the echoing clanks of cymbals/sheet metal and a shrill sound device reminiscent of the synth used on Liquid Swords. The piece as a whole is interesting; it’s simultaneously about half repetition and half free form. And even despite the repetition, the track is endlessly replayable. It’s a meditative zoner but not in the typical “drone” sense (there are very few if any sustained tones). Anyway, this track is a killer and though I’ve yet to hear any other pieces of Du Hexen Hase’s discography, I’ve got a feeling they’ll be pretty sweet too. Now I just need to fulfill my duty as a Seattle citizen sees these dudes shred in the live environment.
The CD-r is self-released and adorned with fantastic ostrich art and limited to only 47 copies (a shame). So if there are any copies left, I’m not really sure where to look (maybe their myspace page). But if you come across it don’t hesitate to snag it, and if you don’t, better pray for a re-release. One of my favorite releases of ’08 so far.

Yes Collapse – Final Diagnosis [Crucial Bliss]

Yes Collapse is a group I’m entirely unfamiliar with but I do know it’s got Matthew Reis (Teeth Collection) in it. And I know they’re pretty awesome.
I’m gonna cut right to the chase. The first of the nine untitled track is a kind of loosey goosey noise plus atmosphere (silence) thing. It works as an intro type thing but the good stuff really starts with the second track. “Track 2” starts with a sustained tone and a synthesized cymbal sound and a dude not saying words (at least not any that I know). Like going down the hill on a rollercoaster the track accelerates into a really sweet rhythm ‘n noise deal. I can’t tell if it’s live percussion or a sampler or drum machine or what but honestly it doesn’t really matter. Someone is credited with “metal” so I’m assuming some of the percussion is them pounding on scrap. There’s a breakdown at the end of the track with a cool two-note synth whine. I’ll be the first to say the track is too short but I guess that means we can listen to it more times. Killer track. “Track 3” that follows is pretty sweet too. And when I say sweet I mean like nice and sedate, for the first half of the track. The second half is a harsh scrap heap. I’m not sure which half I like better but I’d probably have to go with the sweetness. The fourth track is a lurching mess of pedals and loops and more monoto-crush percussion that primes you for the next head ripping piece…
Alright, you know how there are some tracks that are so good that regardless of how good the rest of the album is you have to own it just cause it’s got that one really fucking mindblowing track. Well this is one of those tracks (and lucky for us the rest of album is good too). Remember the name “untitled 5” but because it’s gonna be your new favorite party jam. Guaran-goddam-tee it! I wish I had a better knowledge of club music so I could do a nice critical blender for this track but alas I don’t go to creepy night clubs (yet I still hear slammin’ tracks like this one so the joke’s on them). Anyway, I should probably attempt to describe this track. I this has the most monster bass groove I’ve ever heard, it makes me want be like Grand Master whoever and get a convertible and some big ass speakers and drive playing this track in the summer. You know, as a public service. This sounds like the guys are sampling an earthquake or something like that; it is volcanic, it is destructive, it is relentless. The only thing I can think of that sounds remotely similar is “Stabbed in the Face” from Wolf Eyes big Sub-Pop debut. This track is a little like that one but on a murderous rampage while fucked up on ecstasy, drinking glowsticks. So I don’t think I ever did a good job describing it in all those words, so sorry about that. But if I ever soundtrack a dance party (unlikely) “untitled 5” by Yes Collapse is going to come right after Boney M’s cover of “Sunny” and it will be outstanding.
Most of this album’s tracks are a length that most people would consider to be the length of songs (3-4 minutes), the dudes hold on to their experimental cred with this 11.5 minute piece. This thing is still heaving on the bass but takes the tempo down a few notches, playing pretty noisy for most of it but getting unabashedly groovy at the end. The album closes out with another long one. At one point it resembles a slowed down version of that track I just lost my mind over. Who knows, maybe it is. Then all of a sudden things get eerie and silent though. It sounds really strange and scary after being used to all the big pounding patterns. The guys slowly swell a few tones before unleashing a Kevin Shields style assault. Oh man, it is crushing and awesome!! On a dime, it’s gone with a bit of quiet static and that’s the album. Apparently the band split a while ago, but I guess they put out some other tapes and CD-rs so keep an eye out for those, I certainly will.
Adam Wright-Carmean of Crucial Blast/Crucial Bliss takes his CD-r shit seriously. All his CD-rs come in 4x6 cardstock folder looking things that fold out, printed on both sides. Even the CD-r is color printed and sits on an invisible nub and many of them blend into the artwork like a chameleon. The release is limited to 150 so if you want one, hit up Crucial Blast.

Abuse Report – El Diablo Está en Casa [Pendu Sound]

So I’ve been sitting on a pretty killer cache of analog goods from Pendu Sound for a long while now, and it is way past high time I get to talking about them. For those unfamiliar, Pendu Sound is the music arm of the larger Pendu Org which triples as a gallery and bookshop in addition to being a label. So that’s intensely awesome. Abuse Report, the author of this tape, features Todd Brooks, who runs the label, writes for Foxy D and plays in Ghost Moth as well, Cassette Gods scribe Max Gudmunson who also plays a part in K.P. and Matt Folden who I know nothing about.
I don’t really know too much about this c40 either. Though it sounds like the trio rolls in the electronics department, with probably some guitar in there somewhere too. They have a noise drone thing going that’s vaguely sinister but not really harsh or intentionally ominous sounding. It doesn’t feel like Abuse Report is trying to scare me, like some bands do, and I like that they don’t. There’s slurred vocals against a fuzzy bog of sustaining tones and synth sputters. It reminds me a little of the way Family Underground does things but with much less emphasis on guitar. Some of the best parts of the tape are when things break down a bit and there’s a simple echoing rhythm repeating against a few cascading swells of fuzz. To go back to the sinister-ism point, the first side on here is like “leisurely sinister”, the dudes manage to sound slightly off-kilter and menacing without even trying. Whenever I listen to this tape it makes me miss drone trios and quartets, well “miss” probably isn’t the right word because there’s still a fair amount around but, as much as I love duos and solo acts, it’s great to hear 3 or 4 people totally locking into the same imagination and weaving together a piece music like on this tape. There’s just something about having more people that adds another dimension, a kind of looseness that sounds tight anyway. Or maybe put more accurately it is even when a band sounds tight there’s still a looseness, where all the pieces float magically into place. Anyway, this tangent has lead me to the first sides second track “Outer”, though if you weren’t paying attention it may seem like a sidelong track. There is a clearer sounding drum thing going on, still echoey and distorted but you can tell they’re drums (or at least I think I can tell they’re drums). The track’s a pretty short one, it builds to a glistening, if slight, crescendo before dropping out.
“Exo” takes up the entirety of the B-side and it has a more extended feel to it. The guys create a fuller, more “drone” sound I guess is how you would describe it. It has got an odd pseudo-propulsion to it which I think is the result of dirty loops buried way way down. The first good chunk of the track is lead by hi-pitched sounds, probably from a guitar or synthesizer, but by the end the tracks gets pretty heavy and monolithic. The track despite its twenty minute length actually feels like it’s over pretty quick. It’s one of those that you discover more when you listen with headphones, lots of buried layers to excavate.
Pendu has a couple of killer LPs worthy of your attention as well (a newish Talibam! one and a comp called Getting out the Glue), but since this tape is only limited to 25 copies (eek!) I figured I better get the word out on this one first so you can snap it up before it’s too late. El Diablo Está en Casa is available from Pendu and has a color-printed 3-panel fold out and a black tape with a silver Abuse Report logo drawn on. Definitely worth checking out if you were into the 3 man drone/noise sound.
czech out this interview with Mr. Brooks about Pendu

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #12 (2/3/08)

“To Hide Her Blinding Brightness” The Mighty Acts of God We Could Fail Under Stars (CD-r) [MusicYourMindWillLoveYou, 2007]

”Silpoydin (Static)” Jani Hellen Sing With Me – Music for the Human Voice (CD-r) [Harha-Askel, 2007]

”Side B” Teeth Collection Black Ghost Knife (CS) [Husk, 2007]

”Italian TV 1” Spectre Folk Papa Smurf Smiles Down on us from Heaven (CS) [Abandon Ship, 2007]

”Pink Panther Blood” Amber Lions Pink Panther Blood (3” CD-r) [House of Alchemy, 2007]

”Side B” Scissor Shock Split with Mossy Throats (CS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

”Third Sparkling Echo” Birchville Cat Motel Three Sparkling Echoes (CD-r) [Celebrate Psi Phenomenon, 2007]

”A5” Orphan Fairytale Seahorse Soup (CS one-sided) [Bennifer Editions, 2007]

”Untitled” Panda Tapers Gremlins (CS one-sided) [Dreamtime Taped Sounds, 2007]

”a5” In the Eye of Vision In the Eye of Vision (CS one-sided) [Man and Dolphin 2012, 2008]

”Landing Hallucinations” Ixchel Dreams Of (CD-r) [Leaf Trail, 2007]

”Side B” Bonecloud XI:XI (CS) [Buried Valley, 2007]

”Chickenwing” Andy Futreal Ophelia Wanders (CD-r) [Harha-Askel, 2007]

”C1” Northampton Wools Northampton Wools (2xCS) [Bonescraper, 2007]

”Stopover” Pumice Pebbles (CD) [Soft Abuse, 2007]

”Side A” Sean McCann Gall Flood (CS) [No Label, 2008]

mp3: part 1 part 2

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #11 (1/26/08)

”Untitled 2” Uton Alitaju Ylimina (LP) [Dekorder, 2007]

”Side B” Buddies Buddies (CS) [Open Mouth, 2007]

”South Fork Trinity” RV Paintings Trinity Rivers (CD) [Root Strata, 2007]

”Untitled” Pure Fetor (CD) [Freak Animal, 2007]

”Side B” Abuse Report El Diablo En Casa (CS) [Pendu Sound, 2007]

”Untitled 4” Social Junk Social Junk (CS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

”Horsehead Waltz” The One Ensemble Wayward the Fourth (CD) [Secret Eye, 2007]

”Sudden Arrhythmic Death Vol. 1” Ettrick Sudden Arrhythmic Death Vol. 1 (3” CD-r) [American Grizzly, 2006]

”Flowers of Flesh” Nadja Touched (CD) [Alien8, 2007]

mp3: part 1 part 2

Robedoor – Hopeless Transformation [Goaty Tapes]

Alright so it’s been forever, and I’m sorry. I had to focus on some other things for awhile but people still kept sending me really rad sounds and I can’t leave them hanging any longer. My life is still kinda crammed but I'm gonna try and get reviews posted has regularly as possible. So wish me luck. Anyway that is plenty enough of that, lets get to the review.
Tonight we have a sold out Robedoor release (is there any other kind?). It’s a cassette (w00t y3@h!) on the pretty much just born Northeastern label Goaty Tapes. Hopeless Transformation is the first release on Goaty Tapes (the name always makes me think of that lame Christian rock label Gotee records, maybe it’s a play on that?) and also challenges Hidden Ascension for the title of best Robedoor release in existence.
The piece on Side A is called “Scaled Apparition” and its pretty killer from the get go. There is a looped keyboard, bass and some distant vocals and the whole thing just sounds so smoky and awesome. The piece just lilts and drifts along interrupted somewhat by rough bass abuse, at least I think it is bass but it would make sense if it was distorted drums cause the thing really rumbles. The track is really led by the vocals despite them feeling so far away which is kinda cool. Things stay pretty sedate throughout until the vocals get louder and more anguished. There are lots of sounds going, like I’m pretty sure there’s drums in there somewhere, but it’s hard to discern where everything is coming from. It’s a big looming mass. As rad as the first side is, Robedoor totally one-up themselves on the B-side.
“Violent Memory” is among the best single pieces Robedoor has put together. The track is simple but entirely engrossing and even occasionally addicting. It’s based on a long loop of bass/guitar and a church organ type thing creeps in along with other drones. It is a somber but melodic trudge through space and mud, and sounds wonderfully murky on tape. Around halfway through voices and cymbals somehow both augment and transcend the dirty gloom. The arrangement slyly thickens up on you too, what started as a lone looped instrument is now gently rolling hills of fuzz. Listening to this track, I’m finding myself in one of those binds where a track’s beauty/greatness/whatever is beyond my ability to express it in words. I can’t properly illustrate the cycling hypnotic melody for you or even really do that great of job of describing the arrangement itself. It’s just Robedoor at the top of their game, on the best medium to transmit their sounds, and I sincerely hope there is a reissue on the way (it'd be a hell of an LP too) or you stumble across it at some point in your life if you haven’t already. One the most effective uses of fuzz and drones I’ve heard.
Also I have to mention how killer Goaty Tapes has made this release too, especially for a first timer. There’s a professional quality j-card with artwork reminiscent of New Age Cassettes but in color and on cardstock. What I found to be the coolest was the labels on the black tapes, which are fittingly cut and printed to look like dark, mysterious mountains. It comes with a handnumbered insert of someone praying as well. Goaty, job well done, I hope to see more of you and your tapes.
As I mentioned earlier, sold out at source :( but maybe a distro somewhere is still holding onto a copy?

Auxiliary Out Radio Programme #10 (1/20/08)

“Live in Seattle” GHQ Bored Fortress Split Series (with Ex-Cocaine) (7”) [Not Not Fun, 2007]

”Everything Living Glows” Nessmuk Flies Free (3” CD-r) [Abandon Ship, 2007]

”Black Wind” Skullflower Tribulation (CD) [Crucial Blast, 2006]

”A1” Monopoly Child Star Searchers Start Levitating Now! (CS) [Pacific City, 2007]

”Side A” Diamond Lemonade Transmissions From the Past (CS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

”Out Dual Head Vibration” Terracid Out Dual Head Vibration (CD-r) [MusicYourMindWillLoveYou, 2007]

”A4” Fossils Fly By Night (CS) [Ley Line Magnetic Tapes, 2007]

“Text-Message From Beyond” Fricara Pacchu Stories of the Old (7”) [Fonal, 2007]

”Untitled 4” Acid Eagle Acid Eagle (CS) [New Age Cassettes, 2007]

”New Neighborhood” Child Pornography She’s Got Legs (CD) [Deathbomb Arc, 2007]

”Side A” Mossy Throats Split with Scissor Shock (CS) [JK Tapes, 2007]

“Untitled” Yellow Swans Bored Fortress Split Series (with The Goslings) (7”) [Not Not Fun, 2007]

”In the Shade” Big Blood The Grove (CD-r) [No Label, 2007]

”Untitled 3”Dull Knife Apophenia (CD-r) [Debacle, 2007]

”A Beauty That Needs of Blots”6majik9 Ritualisimo Putrido (CD-r) [MusicYourMindWillLoveYou, 2007]

“Virgin Mafia” Brian Miller & Kevin Shields Virgin Passwords (Split with Pump Kinn) (LP) [Weird Forest, 2007]

”Untitled” Dolphins into the Future Untitled (CS) [Dreamtime Taped Sounds, 2007]

”A4” Monopoly Child Star Searchers Start Levitating Now! (CS)[Pacific City, 2007]

“Rivermouth” Ghosting Split with Robedoor (7”) [Not Not Fun, 2007]

mp3: Part 1 Part 2