Vibracathedral Orchestra - Wisdom Thunderbolt

Vibracathedral Orchestra
Wisdom Thunderbolt
(04.2007, VHF)
Verdict = Satisfying Jangly Confusion

Vibracathedral Orchestra create a more playful and hospitable noise than most, but it is still noise. If you like noise, that’s great; if you don’t, Vibracathedral Orchestra really won’t do anything to change your mind. Their music is really for those who openly indulge avant music but are selective with their listens. Wisdom Thuderbolt, the latest from the veritable supergroup (Mick Flower, Neil Campbell, Peter Nolan) continues in the path of their psych drone anomaly. So, in describing their “drone”, let me share the standard calling cards that that title usually embodies of which VO steers clear. They don’t tread any particularly mournful or pretty areas and they also are not involved with any of the devastating, doomy, soul stealing audio destruction that is all the rage these days. Vibracathedral Orchestra are decidedly more jangly, rock infused and psychedelic. They are definitely paving their own roads in this drone/free noise field. Wisdom Thunderbolt is an evocative, tripped out journey that is packed to the brim with a zoo of instruments. And through some backwoods voodoo, no doubt, the finished product is actually listenable despite holding the trappings of what could easily be heard as a nursery of toddlers let loose in Guitar Center. A profitable listen for anyone seeking a more odd transmission.

- Mr. Thistle

Vibracathedral Orchestra - A Natural Fact

Sunroof! - Panzer Division Lou Reed

Sunroof!
Panzer Division Lou Reed
(08.2007, VHF)
8.0/10.0

Sunroof! Is the alter ego of prolific noise man Matthew Bower. Bower has a pretty impressive resume already as a member of Skullflower, Hototogisu and formerly of Total. He has also been a contributor to the Vibracathedral Orchestra and recently started a new project called Mirag to add to the limitless number of albums with which he has production credits. While Sunroof! has generally tended to be his most blissful project, Panzer Division Lou Reed is definitely the most abrasive Sunroof! album yet. Bower brings a couple friends aboard including Sunburned Hand of the Man’s John Moloney on drum smattering and Mick Flower, of Vibracathedral Orchestra, assigned to guitar torturing. Bower remains at the helm, piloting the vociferous bluster of Panzer Division Lou Reed into an ecstatic revelation. Obliterated buildings of static feedback, frantic, jumbled drumming, psych guitar noodling and the deep forest squalls from jungle primates join forces to create a stack of deafening grandeur. Panzer Division Lou Reed unfolds in four lengthy tracks, self conscious of the time necessary to patiently penetrate them. Like the grizzled TV static of an empty cable station hijacked by noise terrorists and injected with melody, Sunroof! is a monstrous breath of fresh air.

-Mr. Thistle

Sunroof! - "Slew Plateaus #1"(exerpt)