Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Collection Era Vol. 3 (Merzbox Disc 6, 1981)
This collection of the Collection era, compiled as disc 6 of the Merzbox, is more of a historical curiosity than essential listening. Before the harsh noise, the sheets of damaging … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Scandal (Room40, 2021)
A trio of lost recordings from 1992 to 1995 flies in the face of the idea that Merzbow is overly-prolific. If you’ve ever read any reviews of Merzbow, or any … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Door Open at 8 a.m. (Alien8, 1999)
Make a jazz noise here Although many claim for hip-hop or various kinds of electronic music to be the spiritual successors to jazz, especially the more far-flung variants like free … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Paradoxa Paradoxa album review
On Live at Kid Araik Hall I, Merzbow reveals noise – alongside hip-hop and electronic music – reveals itself to be the spiritual successor to jazz. There’s not enough appreciation … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Material Action For 2 Microphones (1981) album review
Collected as part of the Merzbox, Material Action For 2 Microphones stands out in a nearly bottomless discography. Considering the project name’s debt to Kurt Schwitters, it’s easy to forget … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Green Wheels (Self Abuse, 1995) Album Review
Green Wheels is ’90s Merzbow at its purest – 70 minutes of dense, sprawling, relentless noise on unwieldy, cumbersome packaging. Knowing where to start with Masami Akita’s bottomless discography is … Continue reading
Shortwave Symphonies: Rupert Lally – Hidden Transmissions Vol. 1 (Woodford Halse) cassette review
On his first release for Woodford Halse, Swiss composer/electronic musician/multi-instrumentalist Rupert Hally recreates a lost radio transmission. It’s a reminder of the thrill of curiosity and musical discovery. The internet … Continue reading
Merzbow Monday: Merzbow – Hybrid Noisebloom (1997) album review
1997’s Hybrid Noisebloom is a Long Dark Spin Cycle of the Soul, leaving you ecstatically exhausted, wrung out, and cleansed. Reviewing noise records is funny business. In a certain respect, … Continue reading
Tape Tuesday: Field Lines Cartographer – Formic Kingdom (Woodford Halse) album review
Lancaster’s Field Line Cartographer revives 70s progressive electronics for a concept album about giant ants on his first outing for the essential Woodford Halse cassette label. Ah, the 70s – … Continue reading
Techno Tuesday: Illuvia – Iridescence Of Clouds (A Strangely Isolated Place) album review
Illuvia’s Iridescence Of Clouds for the increasingly essential A Strangely Isolated Place is a gorgeous slice of ambient drum ‘n bass worldbuilding. Yr hovership descends, swooping in on a rose … Continue reading
