Campbell Kneale

It's no big secret that I've been off my game for some time. And I'm okay with that, up to a point. However, when I realize that not only has New Zealand noise god Campbell Kneale resurrected his Birchville Cat Motel moniker (thanks AGB!), but, combined with Our Love Will Destroy the World, has put out at least 5 or 6 albums this year alone, I'm embarrassed. And thrilled. If I'm remaking my 2015 mid-year music list and limiting myself to, like, ten albums, probably half of them are Campbell Kneale's. That's how good these are sounding in my headphones. I'm giddy to be sorting through these for the next little while. And you should be too:









etc. etc. etc.

2008 Round Up Pt. 2

More shotgun blasts of worthy releases from last year that we never got around to when they were initially released, but are all most definitely worth your time.

Birchville Cat Motel
Four Freckled Constellation
(02.2008, Conspiracy Records)

Now that Birchville Cat Motel has moved beyond his beloved moniker to analog only recordings as Our Love Will Destroy The World, Four Freckled Constellation stands as one of the few releases by the New Zealander pressed on wax. Separated into six wonderfully varied slabs of textured, noisy drone that range from beautiful to monstrous to creepy, Four Freckled Constellation definitely honors its format and stands out as one of his best works as BCM. I liked this release quite a bit more than his other 2008 full length, Gunpowder Temple of Heaven. In fact, listening to it again I am wondering how I left it off my 2008 top 50…

Angel
Kalmukia
(02.2008, Editions Mego)

The third full length from Angel, Kalmukia is filled with meandering, ethereal blues wrapped in splayed electrical chords that are set ablaze atop a writhing, low-end reverberating mass. It is that deep bellied, low-end mass permeating all corners of Kalmukia that provides the air of doom and apocalyptic (if not the antithesis) of an otherwise banal artistic pseudonym. However, the trio of Angel doesn’t stop at blues; laying a lonely cello atop barren stretches of static-pulsing desert, Kalmukia feels at periods like doom chamber ensemble. Just don’t forget the doom; there is a reason Angel gets compared with Earth and Sunn O))).

Dino Felipe
No Fun Demo
(06.2008, No Fun)

I haven’t listened to any of Dino Felipe’s previous work in the realms of electronic noise, but this supposed demo is pristine weirdo pop genius. Building on a lo-fi aesthetic that is removed from more of the faddish stuff that dominated most of 2008, Felipe fills like an odd mix of Kurt Weisman and Blank Dogs which equates to the use of drum machines, a little new/no wave action, generally bizarre vocals and killer pop instincts. Felipe is all over the map on the fourteen tracks collected here, but never far from a central core that makes this No Fun Demo both fun and, well, it still sounds like a demo, but in a good way. Makes you wonder what Felipe could do if he really set his mind to something that didn’t require the demo tag, because I would kill to make music this good. This is another curious omission from our lists in 2008.

-Mr. Thistle

Birchville Cat Motel - Gunpowder Temple of Heaven

Birchville Cat Motel
Gunpowder Temple of Heaven
(2008 Pica Disk )
Verdict: A wave of sonic bliss

Mr. Thistle in multiple instances of musical nerdiness has blushed over how Birchville Cat Motel is the best band name ever (or at least currently). Now personally I feel combining the words wolf, black and, the eff bomb in any order would result in something far more marketable and indie hip, but I guess that doesn't have too much to do with how awesome this record is. Discussing an album such as Gunpowder Temple of Heaven and why it's worth your time over the mountains of mundane and uninspired experimental, drone, and noise that seems to be filling too many iPod's these day's isn't overly easy for me. You see, I could take this outing and another drone filled album that bores me to tears and I'd most likely use the same Pitchfork approved descriptions to give you the technicals. But I guess the difference between an experimental success and failure is heart (or in harsher genre's a complete lack thereof). I guess what I'm trying to say is even though it's hard for me to pinpoint why something like this is far superior to other drone outings, I can still sense the care that goes into an artist's labor of love over an artist's half hearted improvisation. And I can only assume great care went into Gunpowder Temple of Heaven. The single 40 minute track consists of an organ drone that's gently met with his pitch shifted brethren. Everything on this album is so patient and unfolding that you feel like you're being rolled in a gentle wave or carried by the leaves in a progressing wind. While I wouldn't suggest this album to those who get easily distracted, if you have ears to hear I'm sure you'll find one of the more rewarding musical experiences of 2008.

-Wooly Mammal

Gunpowder Temple of Heaven sample

Birchville Cat Motel - Seventh Ruined Hex

Birchville Cat Motel
Seventh Ruined Hex
(11.2007, Important)
Verdict = Above Average Mind Essplode!

I have recently began an infatuation with the game Guitar Hero (I am still waiting to give Rock Star a try) and ever since rocking that plastic key-tar have gone about imagining how cool it would be to have an indie version of the game rife with songs from Black Mountain, Deerhoof, Sunset Rubdown and the like. Surely if your any fan of the game and this blog you have thought the same thing. Well, after listening to Birchville Cat Motel’s Seventh Ruined Hex, I am convinced that this would be the final track, if conceivably translatable to those color coated keys, the most difficult track on the game – the track provided in the duel with the devil. On Seventh Ruined Hex, Birchville Cat Motel is an avant gardist’s guitar hero. Secondary to that, BCM maintains my favourite band name ever…yep, I’m pretty sure it is my very favourite, so, I suppose that counts for something. If you are unfamiliar with BCM, the New Zealand sound annihilator is beyond prolific (Seventh Ruined Hex is his third full length CD released in 2007) and while not as well known on these shores, is incredibly versatile and consistent. Seventh Ruined Hex is not for the faint of heart, this is the type of screeching guitar/noise that kids have always wanted to blast to infuriate their Puritan parents. Still, deep in the squall there is a definite soul infused with tremendous fortitude of control over his careening isle of sound. A perfect long form rock album for those who need it turned up past 11.

- Mr. Thistle

Birchville Cat Motel - "Bee" sample