Review by pHonaut
Psychonavigation II
(PW24) by Pete Namlook & Bill Laswell
Under Heaven - After hearing the first disc, this is certainly not the
first thing I would expect to hear. Conjures an atmosphere not unlike
that in "Blue" from Gate/Sol, but in comparison this piece has several
more instruments all contributing to the textures of this deep opening
track. Some background pads evoke a wide open spaciousness while synth
voices and a loose solo follow a moderately introspective theme. After
some moments with chimes and other notes that add some texture, that
titanium guitar sound from the Dark Side of the Moog series floats into
view and then vanishes only to return again later slightly changed. I've
learned to love Namlook's displays of melody gracefully sourced from
guitars. A pleasant twist of melody from additional keyboards lends to
the track a sense of intrigue. Bright synth rays radiate outward, yet
something buried far in the back of your mind hints at darker times to
come.
Blue Shift - Whereas the first piece lies at the lighter end of the
spectrum, this one immediately plunges into darkness. The beginning is
very similar to track 2 on Rich & Lustmord's murky outing "Stalker," but
after a few minutes the elements are stirred up a bit. Deep, ripping bass
waves. Movement and motion in the sounds, slow and shifting. Very
foreboding, and the occasional faint bleeps of computers place this piece
in the not-too-distant future. Overcast synthesis prepares us for aural
entropy.
The Fate of Energy - Maybe I didn't know it during the first few
listens, but this is the track I'd been waiting to hear from Laswell and
Namlook. It starts out more orchestral or symphonic in sound, and a
brooding guitar invigorates the background melody. This tension is held
until about 4 minutes into it, then a rhythm kicks in. The carefully
forged guitar sweeps into the periphery, wider and outward. Synths spring
to life, all the sudden this track becomes quite active, much more so then
those first 2. This part is also quite Moogy, which makes sense, as
Laswell joined Klaus and Pete for the Dark Side projects starting with the
"Three Pipers..." released only 2 months later. Basslines are laid down,
and at 6 minutes some pulses erupt only to disappear soon after. A groovy
jam laid down at the interface of darkness and light.
The Hell of the Same - We begin with distant clanging through reverb,
then metallic droning. I recognize an almost aboriginal quality in these
formless voices that reminds me once again of Dark Side of the Moog IV.
Alien vocal processes hover, adding that eerie numbers stations feeling,
while some more startlingly lucid voice action occurs. More aboriginal
gurgling and some Air-ish rainstick FX join in. Now only the most obscure
traces of slow melody remain. Very primordial.
Infinum - A short disruptive outro... hope you weren't sleeping!
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Review by pHonaut