| REVIEWS
Cold Spring
...from a new English dark ambient composer, creating atmospheres that
occasionally resemble early COIL or PTV, but Liles has definitely carved
his own niche of rich, malevolent and experimental electronics. Very much
recommended!
Cheeses
International
Ten short surreal pieces which all come together nicely… The sounds vary
from flowing ambience to more sudden samples and everything inbetween,
all carefully chosen and assembled.
Industrial
Org
Not too long ago I spent a period working in front of a slowly dying computer
monitor. I'd be typing away and then suddenly, like a cattle prod to the
back of the neck, a very loud electronic shorting noise would blast out
at the same moment the screen mutating into an epileptic's EEG scan. Then
with the same suddenness, everything would revert to normal except for
the stress inducing scent of ozone. It was frightening, extremely unnerving
and for some bizarre reason I kind of looked forward to it. Calm jarred
by intense blood rushing fear with a lingering anxiety. This CDR release
from Andrew Liles embodies many of the same qualities, a serene stillness
smashed apart but sharp blurts of frantic activity, leaving the listener
feeling unsure of their enviroment and not being able to truly slip back
into relaxation. 'Prelude to an Un World' includes 10 tracks of solemnly
meandering material that while mostly of a stayed pace does manage to
cover a rather immense amount of territory.
There are re-occurring themes,
especially repetitive hums that oscillate between two or three states
building up a foundation for the incidental events that flesh out each
track. Instrumentation is rather diverse but seems to be based mainly
on found sound based samples with only the odd element truly broaching
recognizability. Those that do include lilting piano notes swept into
aural range by gusts of wind, orchestral hits distorted by the passage
of time and unsettingly indecipherable vocal treatments. More than anything
the material reminds me of the susceptible state when you have not quite
awoken and environmental aspects start working themselves into your unfolding
dreams.
Some tracks have more distinct boundaries than others, the first three
pieces for example have well delineated borders where the instrumentation
and sound design changes dramatically. The second track has a delicate
theremin like tone interweaved through out it which imparts a truly other
wordly feel, not unlike the tension of the 'Carnival of Souls' score but
with the added impact of sharp swooping tape edits giving it a random
suggestion of intense accelleration. Others though, say track 6, include
enough space and non standard development that it is not immediately clear
that a given piece has ended. I'm not sure if affixing to it the word
'creepy' is fair but it is definitely not unlike the darkness of the Playstation
game 'Silent Hill' and under the right circumstances this disc could make
you feel very uncomfortable. Track 7 really works this angle, dim sparks
and hints of rhythm flung off the rapidly unwinding yet tightly spun track.
There are a lot of similarities here with the first Vox Barbara release
'the five senses' with respect to the spacious organics and overall sense
of movement, The 8th track especially. Overall though I would say that
Andrew Liles works in a more subterranean cell, with hints of madness
crawling forth from his work disrupting the listener's complacency. The
9th track's vocal treatment is the only moment on the whole disc where
I am left with an impression of tepid academics, and only then because
of the lack of progression and the comparitive power of the surrounding
material. Luckily this outburst is short lived with the final track crushing
any further doubts as to Andrew's method of execution.
This disc has definitely grabbed me from behind. It is a foreboding and
at times truly unsettling aural examination, a Rorschact rain cloud streaming
out blurred images and tangled memories. For any fans of dark material,
this disc deserves to be a most highly regarded and treasured artifact.
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