Machinefabriek - Weleer

Machinefabriek
Weleer
(05.2007, Lampse)
9.0/10

Machinefabriek's Weleer is gigantic in scope. Rounding up tracks from the seemingly endless amount of limited 3" CD-Rs he has released, the Dutch sound composer has created a two disc juggernaut of sweeping beauty and granular destruction. Machinefabriek's range is so wide that comparisons range from the elated beauty of Eluvium to the coarse electronic treatments of Yellow Swans, and everything in-between. However, where most artists who dip their hands into multiple genres find their works watered down, Machinefabriek somehow keeps everything extremely fresh and rewarding. Nothing on Weleer seems second rate or quickly produced. The entirety of the two discs (spanning over and hour and a half) is the crème de la crème of soundscaped experimentalism. Listening to Weleer is relentlessly euphoric and seems to have the ability of sinking deep into your subconscious, soundtracking the moments you wander the earth sans headphones. I say 'wander the earth' because Weleer is biblical, transforming and affecting in its reach. The impact can become difficult to describe because of the peak of its effect. The people at Lampse have done a wonderful thing releasing this collection of recordings to be consumed as one.

-Mr. Thistle

Machinefabriek – "Oi Polloi"

Splint! - Moro

Splint!
Moro
(03.2007, Lampse)
8.0/10

Tangling a new highlight in the surprisingly sprawling arena of experimental Norwegian free jazz, Splint! (so many exclamatory punctuations hanging off band titles nowadays. Its as trendy as having 'black' or 'wolf' in your band name.) actually carry some defined boundaries to their improvisational charm and are all the better for it. Utilizing a heavy dose of electronic meddling and electro-acoustics, Moro is simply an audio treat for the exploratory music fan. Drawing comparisons (as well as former members and contributors) to the juggernauts of Scandinavian free jazz, Supersilent, Spint! ruminate over similar peaks and valleys under the former's towering shadow, but, in light of Supersilent's recent release of 8, have beat the group at their own game with Moro. The band is at its best when drummer Jarle Vespestad is propelling them forward, but they still manage some entrancing numbers that operate at much slower, more contemplative speeds. Interesting as these tracks are, a string of slower tempos during the middle of Moro strain the 'fun' that the Norwegian album title translates to. Though not without its faults, Moro is a exciting debut and welcome addition to a burgeoning scene.

-Mr. Thistle

Splint! - Sintjom excerpt