Andrew Liles
Black Beauty
Beta-Lactam Ring 2007
01. Dead Roses
02. A Numbers Game
03. Bamboo Sheep
04. All Things Bright and Beautiful and Corrosive
05. The Artless Shaman
06. George the Chemist
07. Tinderbox
There seems to be no real gap between Andrew's «Vortex Vault» releases, like it's only a matter of days until all 12 (or 15?) of them are ready, credited and sealed. Hasty? Wouldn't think so, since this time we're dealing with two lengthy tracks around half-hour total, and as polished as fuck. The almost miniature character of Black Hole still present, to a different extent: 'Dead Roses', 'Bamboo Sheep', 'Tinderbox' play like short vignettes, illusions... Further explorations along the dark, organic electronic spectrum - and again, the title fits in very well. Even at its most accessible, Liles' music has an eerie, otherwordly edge; even at its most experimental or let's say 'malefic', there's a sense for image and affective content. Beautiful album in all aspects. Can't wait to take it for a walk in fresh snow, when it's falling (aww).
>> mfire (76mb) (d-_-b)
6 comments:
Well then, here we now have a 'positive' connotation for 'Black Monday'! ;-)
Really look for to hearing this as I was quite taken and inspired by 'Black Hole'.
How famaliar are you with his 'body' of work? I really liked 'Black Hole' but his webpage seems to indicate many of the albums to be more droney/soundscapes of album durations?
I really liked the conceptual presentation of 'Black Hole', as you said, with it's 'almost miniature(s) character' and just wonder if you know of other similar albums...of course I have this new post to listen too so perhaps it will answer my questions concerning the longer pieces, I'll get back to you then.
Thanks for another artist introduction ;-)
ah, trust me, i've gathered most of Liles' albums on a special folder, but still haven't 'really' listened. first, i want to know i have them all! the official ones, at least. hehe. later on, i'd prolly wanna do a "Liles mix", 'cause he seems to have lots that i like.
honestly, i can't remember any other "miniature" album right now. sure i've come across some, but none too memorable. the only thing i'd recommend: J Dilla's "Donuts" from last year - last album he did before he died. pretty raw, but good. it didn't get here unfortunately - was too lazy to rip/tag it. but it's everywhere online and in shops.
plus, of course, Odd Nosdam's tapes, which i will probably attach to promissed dvds.
enjoy Black Beauty ;)
I just want to thank you for your consistently fantastic posts, the effort you make in getting this amazing music out there is greatly appreciated. Cheers to you!
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cheers for the comment.
anyone else found "The Artless Shaman" amusing? :)
You know, 'drone' pieces can really obscure a composer's personality, especially evident with Liles. When he works with more discreet materials and instruments his 'quirkiness' comes out (the same quirkiness as seen in his visual presentation/packaging).
In reference to your 'Artless Shaman' remark, he actually reminds me sometimes of early Carter Burwell (there again that 'quirkiness' factor'). It wouldn't be hard to imagine some of these compositions as underscore to a 'Blood Simple II'-like production, no more-so than 'Artless Shaman'.
Importantly for me, I have an album 'due' to a Net Label soon and Lile's organisation of various moods into a larger concept/context is providing me with a great 'template' so there is that extra 'utilitarian layer' to the inspiration his work is providing me ;-)
looking forward to hearing the album!
i haven't even thought of the "obscuring" factor here, but it makes sense now that you say it. the exact same thing has happened with our Black to Comm and his new lp. still, whereas Liles' has kept "Black Beauty" close enough to "Black Hole", BtComm seems miles away from "Rückwärts Backwards". well, i can't complain much, it's their choice, but then again, Liles' album i enjoyed a little more.
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