xdementiaPost subject: V/A – Thrash Sabbatical 2x7”+LP
Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2007 11:56 pmV/A – Thrash Sabbatical 2x7”+LP
Death Bomb Arc: http://deathbombarc.com
Overall Rating: C+
Composition: C+
Sounds: C+
Production Quality: C-
Concept: B
Packaging: B
Here's a big box of goodies from Death Bomb Arc recordings containing 2 7”s and a 12”!!! What an odd combination of formats here, seems like even 2 12”s would make more sense but in a way the whole odd mix and match is very indicative of the eclectic array of harsh noise, experimental, and lo-fi folk/indie rock. It's quite well known I'm not much a fan of the latter there but a good portion of the noise here is a bit lackluster as well. It's too bad because you can certainly tell by the packaging that this is a labor of love but the sounds just don't hit home with me.
It seems that the person on sabbatical here was Thurston Moore because he has one side of each record here filling the LP with some wallowing lo-fi harsh noise. The “presence” of the recording is very small, almost like it was recorded with an answering machine or something so the whole thing comes off as pretty weak right off the bat. Withholding my distaste for the production for a moment the noise is decent with a large array of sounds with a unique feel. I like that it sounds very “fun” with many moments reminding me of something that could be easily used in a cartoon as sound effects. Often noticeable is the guitar underneath it all which kind of kills it for me because it is right then when the “wankery” comes to the surface. Another issue I have with the track is in the very beginning there's a very recognizable sound of the play button being hit from a Sony Discman and subsequently following it all the delay effects applied to the sound that the Discman must be routed through. I guess you could argue that this is more honest or real because he's not hiding his source material but it just takes a bit of the mystery away and comes off as just being too sloppy and lazy to at least mute the interface sounds on the Discman.
The strongest track from Thurston Moore here is “Unzipped” an ultra lo-fi simple noise track the side of one of the 7 inches here. It's deals with what sounds like a delay pedal on a very short delay with a lot of feedback, or could just be a simple synth or something. The basic method here are just small changes in eq and distortion on the sound but for the short duration of a 7 inch it feels just right. Again though, the track is marred by a sudden drop in volume for no apparent reason. This sloppiness just makes it feel like it was just a one-take record less then a fitting end for the piece. I just don't get the mentality of leaving in a fuck up that sounds like shit, is this cool or something?
Surprisingly, given Thurston's track record as a guitarist, his lo-fi folk offering on the other 7 inch is his weakest track here. A simply mediocre filler track with some not-sad, not-happy, just “there” guitar strumming. This is by far the biggest waste of vinyl in this whole package.
The other side of the LP is a total compilation of many artists, some who strangely enough don't seem to be mentioned in the packaging. Actually, I'm kind of confused about this whole side if it's just one project “Men Who Can't Love” or if it's several projects, because the rest don't seem to be mentioned on the insert but their websites are noted? Anyways, the opener “Solitary Hunter” is a lo-fi folk piece that I really enjoy. The lyrics are a bit silly and seems rather arbitrary but the sound of the picked guitars kind of reminds me of Climax Golden Twins.
The Impregnable track “When Your Nights Get a Little Colder” is one of my favorite tracks on Thrash Sabbatical with a thick, crunchy harsh noise barrage accented by some scathing vocals kicking things off. Though, as almost expected, there's another trite fade in the middle of the damn track that just ruins the pacing.
Moth Dracula follows up with a bit less enthusiasm but still a solid track of less aggressive but dynamic harsh noise. Haircut Mountain Transit drops a weaker track of more harshness but doesn't really have the layers and sound that the other artists are able to show here. Luckily the two closers here by Toxic Loincloth and Privy Seals' “Somniloquy” is especially worth mentioning for it's ferocity and excellent use of harsh vocals and wailing wall-of-noise destruction despite the short running time.
Among the best material here is Kevin Shield's “Paved Fury” and “Motor Hands” with the former seriously thrashing into some detailed overblown load of uniquely textured noise. I really like the “shiny” quality here and the breakdown to the point that it sounds like all the machines being used are about to just stop working because they're being pushed too hard. Without a moments rest “Motor Hands” breaks in with an annoying feedback whine that pulled off to perfection, I love the gesture here but am just a little disappointed when it becomes a bit lower in the mix upon the entry of the denser harsh textures. Luckily the second blast of these isn't quite as weak. For some reason the whole of Kevin Shield's side reminds me of some kind of fucked up pop music, but really has barely any relation. I have no idea how I get that picture in my head.
Finally Barrabarracuda's track “Stone Cold Steve Austin at the Stone Cold Creamery” is another side of one of the 7 inches here which is mostly comprised of lo-fi indie rock kind of stuff. Not really into this much at all, reminds me much of a Gwen Stefani track or something but without the production. Not much value beyond the funny title, which I have to give credit where credit is due, did make me lol.
Wow, what a mammoth release. I enjoy the D.I.Y. packaging holding this thing together but it seems a bit disorganized in the end. I have a feeling that's a part of the charm here. For lovers of indie noise jam sessions only.
Related Articles: Kevin Shields – The Death of Patience Review , Brian Miller/Kevin Shields–We Had a Baby and it Will Die review
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