Textura Returns

After a short period on the sidelines, the wonderful Textura monthly webzine has returned with a fanatastic issue featuring in-depth label profiles of the wonderful Dynamophone and the equally superb, Hidden Shoal. Furthermore, there are a number of reveiws that have featured here. As well as an extensive look at the latest Dynamophone releases, reviews of Explosions In The Sky, Tobias Lilja, Arc Lab, SubtractiveLAD and Ölvis can be found there.

But of particualr interest here, is the colourful descriptions and mp3's of Wes Willenbring, Slow Dancing Society and Sankt Otten from the Hidden Shoal catalogue. All three albums are strong contenders for my end of year list and are most definitely worth checking out. The following paragraphs and mp3's can be found at the excellent Textura, along with some samples from the likes of A Lily, Pornopop, Stars of the Lid and Pole:

Sankt Otten (Textura Review)

Sankt Otten's "Wir koennen ja Freunde bleiben" emerges from its dark opening moments, casts its gaze upon the open plains and ponders the surrounding expanse as guitars both sing a soft lullaby and build into slow-burning swells.

Sankt Otten: "Wir koennen ja Freunde bleiben"


Slow Dancing Society (Textura Review)

In "The Delicate Sound of Silence," Drew Sullivan coaxes a fragile and stately beauty from a modest collection of whistling tones, voice samples, and guitar flutter. Sullivan masterfully shapes the material into a captivating ambient setting that comes as close as possible to translating a most peaceful sleep state into aural form.

Slow Dancing Society: "The Delicate Sound of Silence"


Wes Willenbring (Textura Reveiw)

The San Francisco-based Willenbring generates alluring vignettes from a base palette of piano and guitars, blurring the lines between them until the reverberant product of their union drifts like a slow-motion plume of smoke through the quietude of an empty cathedral

Wes Willenbring: "Sometimes"

SubtractiveLAD : "No Man's Land" (n5md)

To the untrained ear there may be nothing particularly new about SubtractiveLAD's compositions. But for those with a keen sense of musicianship and good knowledge of recording techniques and equipment in the electronica field, it is a different matter. It is interesting to note that n5md, head honcho, Mike Cadoo, upon hearing SubtractiveLAD's music for the first time, instantly noted his completely unique sounds and recording techniques.

For the Vancouver-based musician, also known as Stephen Hummel, develops his own instruments and software, accumulating over 20 self-made devices over the years. Throughout "No Man's Land", his 3rd release on n5md, devices such as home-made synths and patches, drum-boxes, effects units and feedback noise generators are used and combined with analogue instrumentation, on some occasions to breathtaking effect.

Look no further than standout, and title track, "No Man's Land". A 12 minute epic centre-piece that starts off so very calmly, but an undercurrent of distorted guitar work is apparent almost from the outset. As this track weaves between blissful ambience and towering waves of distortion, you find yourself totally immersed in SubtractiveLAD's world. It is one of numerous heartfelt and intensely emotional moments on this release.

Although a number of tracks incorporate subdued, but inventive programming, it is on the more reflective ambient passages where the album truly shines. "Of Sand and Seas" takes its cues from German pioneers Tangerine Dream, but adds layers upon layers of synths and hazy guitars. There's a real earthly element to his compositions, which is surely a product of his home-made synths (or possibly the subtle field recordings throughout). "Of Sand and Seas" conjures images of dormant volcanos in my mind.

That being said, the compelling IDM rythmns on "The Shell" and "The Sun In Your Eyes" show SubtractiveLAD in a different light. The former is a spectacular album opener using compressed beats, driving guitars and celestial synths, bridging the gap between the post-rock and electronica worlds. The latter is a multi-textured piano-led piece, that transports the listener to the ocean front, with its field recordings and calming tones, before rousing you with a series of playful, under-stated programming.

The music contained throughout "No Man's Land" shows a staggering attention to detail. Gentle piano lines, lulling synths, drifting vocals (especially on the gorgeous album closer "The Lucky Ones") combine gracefully with ascending waves of guitar distortion and captivating field recordings. It is rare for an album, with so many ambient moments, to pack such an emotional punch. But then have we come to expect anything less from a n5md artist?.

Rating = 80%

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Points of Interest...

1. If there any aspiring writers or anyone with some opinions on musical, political or artistic issues. Ask for a inivite to the Hidden Shoal Recordings project FluxusTV. There is an ever-growing band of like-minded individuals posting their thoughs and sharing their interests at this intriguing venture. I've joined up and it looks very good fun.

2. Arclight Communications have confirmed that they will release Romance of Young Tigers self-titled ep via 10" vinyl this year and it will feature a bonus track. It will be limited to just 400 copies.

3. Mark 6/02/07 in your diaries, because n5md will issue their latest batch of "emotional experiments in music". Albums by Sweden's Tobias Lilja and Canadians SubtractiveLAD and Arc Lab will be released on this day.

4. Two of my tips for 2007 will be releasing new material very soon. iLiKETRAiNS will have a new single, "Spencer Perceval" out on 26/03/07. While, Slow Dancing Society officially releases "The Sound of Lights When Turned Dim" this coming Monday. Order it here

5. Keser will return to Glasgow on 23/01/07 to play a free gig at everyone's favourite late night bar, Bloc. ÅsA are also due to play at what should be an excellent night for contemporary Scottish music.