3 CD-R REVIEWS

It's been a while since I've updated this thing and now I here find myself with nothing to do for the rest of the day. What better way to spend the rest of the afternoon than to write reviews of my recent trades. Yaaayaahhh.



KYLE FARRELL/NATE SCHEIBLE - "Rumours" CD-R (SKSK)

Sometimes I get stuff in the mail and I think, "Ewww...". The minimal/not very attractive packaging for this release is an 8 1/2" by 11" piece of paper xeroxed (with a picture of some industrious miscellany) and folded up into a sort of 5"x5" envelope. The CD is a store bought TDK brand CD-R labeled with a sharpie. I'd never heard of either of these guys and because of the "barely trying" artwork I was expecting some sort of "barely tyring" noisy junk-racket (not that that's always a bad thing). So I open up the envelope and am surprised to see that Kyle Farrel plays the vibraphone (not an instrument usually associated with junk/racket/noise). From the opening plunking on the vibraphone I am relieved, surprised and ecstatic to discover that there is some amazing improvised music on this CD. Kyle Farrell and Nate Scheible are 2 very talented improvisers. The four long, contemplative tracks on this CD-R all fall into what you might call free improv and are centered mostly around the vibraphone and drums although there is some percussion and electric guitar fumblage creeping in often. This is what it would sound like if the drummer and vibraphoner(?) from a '70s funk band ditched their other band members, did acid instead of coke, and got ear infections from swimming in the funk. Killer CD-R with crap ass packaging. Limited to 40 copies so contact SKSK to see if it's still available... http://www.angelfire.com/droid/sksk.



JUTE GYTE - "Where We Go When We" 3" CD-R (Jeshimoth Entertainment)

Holy Shit! What was that?! Oh, it was just the the opening crackle of the new Jute Gyte 3" CD-R. Don't ever put CDs of classical music in a CD changer right before a noise CD. The changeover isn't pleasant and the differences in mastering levels is usually pretty drastic. Jute Gyte is Adam Kalmbach. Adam uses computer, guitar and voice to construct epic noise pieces. This particular piece is a 23 1/2 minute excursion into the finer points of distortion, crackle, and distortion. Jute Gyte seems to have somehow harnessed the power of ocean waves crashing and managed to run it through a few distortion pedals. Not full on "HARSH(!)" but maybe I'm not listening to it loud enough. It maintains a "medium-harsh" dynamic that I really like and the mastering job is superb. It's loud without being too loud and the EQ is boosted in all the right frequencies. I'll bet there was a genorous amount of overdubbing/editing in the creation process, not that that's a bad thing. I myself have been guilty of letting the overdubbing spiral out of control. The cover is beautifully laser printed on nice paper and stuffed in a slim 3" jewel case. Nothing extravagant but it's still a very professional looking package. Limited to 50 copies... http://www.jeshimoth.com/jutegyte.



CRITICAL THEATRE - "The Last Crisis of Pleasure" CD-R (Feral Dungeon Recordings)

Portland, Oregon's Max Benedetti has created something hideous with his grimnoise project, Critical Theatre. This CD is just what I needed after listening to a few hours of "academic" noise and "contemplative experimental acoustic instrumentation". You don't need to read the track list to tell that there are definite black metal and early industrial vibes in the fusty air what with all the grim atmospherics and cold reverb fuzz in the recording. Not to worry though, there aren't any shit-ass Burzum covers. This actually lets off sort of a SunnO))) smell at times but maybe with more layers and less cloaks. Less metal, more noise. Oh wait, here we go... This shit sounds like a more ramshackle Throbbing Gristle posessed by the spirit of SunnO))) slathered in corpse paint. I'm digging it maximum. Oh, and about the track list... how about "Meat Machines", "Blind Dungeon", and "Transcendental Forest"? Fuck Yes!!! ... http://www.myspace.com/criticaltheatre

-Fred Avila

BBBLOOD - "Experiment 50" CD-R (Transdimensional Sushi)

BBBlood is the UK-based noise project of Mr. Paul Watson who also runs the label, Transdimensional Sushi. Apparently this is his 50th release. What we've got here is just under 47 minutes of ultra dynamic, all over the place noise. Everything from delay pedal worship and knob tweaking to screaming feedback to distorted crunch and classic harsh noise. The occasional odd sound and volume dropouts let you know that this is the real deal, not some ultra-edited bullshit. The three tracks on this release are all fairly lengthy but they cover so much ground and move so fast you can hardly tell. My favorite of the three tracks is "Submissive" because of it's haunting chill-ass vibe. It sort of reminds me of the ambient mix version of Painkiller's Execution Ground. Rumbly, reverb soaked, and beautiful. The cover art for this release (by KEROZEN) is beautiful as well with lots of vibrant colors and the laser printing makes it look and feel very slick. Of all the releases I've gotten in trades in the past few months this one is definitely in my top three. Viva La Delay Pedal! Contact BBBlood to see if it's still availabe. http://www.bbblood.co.uk

-Fred Avila

BAD BRAINS - “Build A Nation” CD (Megaforce)

I read so many bad reviews for this album that I just had to hear it for myself. Each review was pretty much the same: The reunited Bad Brains, while still smokin’ instrumentally are brought down heavily by vocalist HR’s (uncharacteristically) tired vocals. While I agree 100% that HR doesn’t sing with the same intensity that he had back in the day, he still has a great voice and still manages to infuse some sweet melody lines into the bands heavy-punk wall. Only a few tracks (“Universal Peace” and title track “Build a Nation”) left me more than a little disappointed in the vocal department. But that’s okay… the album is saved by the music and that alone is reason enough for me to like this album. While HR may have mellowed with age, the rest of the Bad Brains are still on top of their game. The only way I could tell you not to buy this album is if you’re not a fan of the bands reggae outings in which case you definitely should avoid this album as nearly half the album delves into the ‘gae. I can honestly say that I’m not a fan of reggae unless it’s Bad Brains reggae. Oh yeah, someone needs to give Beastie Boy Adam Yauch a high-five for doing such a kick-ass job on the production of this album. It's just as raw as their earlier stuff yet cuts through the speakers with a nice metallic shine. If you've never heard the Bad Brains, start with their earlier stuff like "Rock for Light."

-Zac Chavez

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Warner Bros.)

What better way to kick off my affiliation with Blastbeats For Freedom than to write a review of HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX. When Fred asked me to submit reviews to this blog, I mentioned in our conversation that I was going to be taking my little sister to watch the new Harry Potter movie that night.
“You should review it,” (right) said Fred.

I should start this out by saying that I couldn’t care about anything less than what I care for Harry Potter. I haven’t read any of the books or seen any of the other movies. My girlfriend (who has read all of the books… yeah, I know…. I picked a winner) was a little worried that I might get confused while watching this without any prior knowledge. Whatever. It’s a kids movie, right?
Right… and a pretty damn-good kids movie at that. I doubt I would ever watch it again but still… I was entertained throughout the movie. From what I hear, the book this film was based on was fucking huge and it shows. Even though it was just over two hours the movie hardly ever slows down. With new characters and plot-twists jumping out every scene. About half way through the film I had to pee but I decided to hold it for fear of coming back and being utterly lost plot-wise. The visuals were amazing. Sure, there was lots of CGI, but unlike most recent Hollywood movies it wasn’t all CGI. Cool, dark atmosphere, reminded me of Tim Burton at times. I don’t know what else to say…
If I was ten years old this would probably be my favorite movie.

Wait, I take that back. Pan's Labrynth would be my favorite movie. Fuck Harry Potter!

-Zac Chavez

Out now on Blastbeats For Freedom... THE TWO-YEAR CURSE + JOSEPH ANDREOLI - Collaboration CD-R (BFF#4)

The Two-Year Curse (A.K.A. Fred Avila) and guitarist, Joseph Andreoli (one half of instrumental rock duo, Giraffes? Giraffes!) team up for two collaborative improvisations on one half hour long CD-R. Recorded in April 2007 live to tape. No overdubs. No edits.

Joseph Andreoli uses slide, fingers, and a bow to strangle fumblefingered looped pseudo riffs and beautifully harsh psychedelic noisescapes out of his effected guitar. Like Jimmy Page laying it down while bleeding to death from a bullet wound to the head. Fred Avila abuses drum machine, guitar, microphone, and a slew of old effects pedals to make freeform distorto-beats, filterswept static drones, breathy vocalisations, and obnoxious microphone feedback.

Out now on BLASTBEATS FOR FREEDOM in a limited edition of 70 hand numbered CD-Rs with covers made from recycled kraft paper.

Cost is $4.00 PPD in North America, $5.00 PPD everywhere else.
To order, Paypal funds to blastbeatsforfreedom@yahoo.com
...Or mail cash, check, or money order to

Fred Avila
41 Grandview St. #1405
Santa Cruz, CA
95060 USA

Trades definitely accepted!!!

RAPERIES (LIKE DRAPERIES) - "Diatribe" 3" CD-R (Self Released)

I aquired this CD through a trade with the man himself, Peter J Woods. 2 tracks on this CD. Packaged in a small plastic sleeve with xeroxed art. The first 11 minute track, "Our only downfall, pacifism" starts with something that sounds like a stringed instrument of some sort being plucked at random intervals. To tell the truth I have no idea what the fuck it is but it definitely has a slapstick quality to it. The "plucked string" sound repeats and picks up speed until it resembles the ominous sound of swarming bees or an airplane headed towards the Earth The gain is gradually turned higher and higher making the overall sound dirtier and dirtier. Then comes the hard distortion. Pretty soon the swarming nosediving plucked string is completely drowned out by distortion and I relish in the final Merzbowian minute.

Track two, "Our only hope,contentment" starts with a brief period of softness and what sounds like a guitar but soon gives way to growling & pig snorting through a mountain of distortion pedals. The over the top harshness is periodically broken up by the more ambient guitar(?) parts over the course of the 10 minute track. It sounds like R(LD)'s Peter Woods knows what he wanted to accomplish. This release is a very well "composed" and thought out. I don't know if he still has copies available but it'd definitely be worth it to ask. peter@experimentalmilwaukee.com

-Fred Avila

PRURIENT- Recycled Tape (RRRecords)

This tape was purchared from the CRUCIAL BLAST webstore, one of my favorite webstores to buy from. I can browse their "new additions" and blow my life savings if I want to. So in my last CRUCIAL BLAST order I got the new PRURIENT RRRecycled tape. For those not in the know, RRRecords' recycled tape are dubbed on old commercial cassettes that have been "recycled".

I put the tape in and because of my recent ventures into the torturous world of dubbing tapes. I automatically press "record" instead of "play" (!?!?!). It isn't until about a minute later that I realize I accidentally just dubbed over the beginning of the tape. Fucking hell. I'm bummed as shit until I remember that almost every PRURIENT release I've heard starts with a high pitched ear piercing feedback. So I rewind it, press "play" this time, and sure enough I'm treated to the soothing sounds of obnoxious ear piercing feedback. Awesome. Soon after that it kicks in to the harshness. Lots of feedback, crumbling distorted electronics and of course Dominick Fernow's heart breaking (?) screams. It might just be the me but it seems like the violent parts are more direct and well... violent than most PRURIENT I've heard and I love looking at the dB meter on my tape deck and seeing nothing but "in the red" harshness.

My favorite part of this tape is actually towards the middle when Dom quits for a while and you hear the sound of creaking floors, soft voices, & traffic. That only lasts for a few minutes though and then you're treated to more feedback, distorted synthy sounding drones, and pained howls. Side A ends with more traffic noise, birds chirping, and rain falling (?). I'm loving this tape. Definitely recommended to any fan of noise.

OK, the tape flipped over and now I'm listening to someones mid '90's mixtape. Rage Against the Machine, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and now Alice in Chains again! Fucking awesome. Totally reminds me of discovering music as a youngster. Oh wait. Metallica just came on. Fuck this.

-Fred Avila

GO GO GADGET WEBZINE

THE SHIT IS LAUNCHED.