William Basinski: The Distintegration Loops (Vols I to IV)

Instead of me reviewing/recommending one album... I am going to review 4. The reason why is that it is such a great series. This is from the prolific minimal/ambient composer, "William Basinski". He deals mainly in tape loops, drones, and phasing (imagine two drum beats going side by side, now set the temp (speed) of one drum beat very slightly higher or lower, the sound starts to "phase" in and out being synced, creating an interesting hypnotic effect ("Steve Reich"'s Piano Phases is a great example)) . William had a series of very emotive tape loops that were on literally their last play. He decided to take a collection of these very beautiful tape loops and play their swan song and record them. This was made also very poignant in that it coincided with September 11th (He mentions that in his description). "Clip 3" off of Volume II actually made me kinda choked up during the last couple of minutes when the tape was completely deteriorated before my very ears... It was like recording a poetic death (Like those you read in viking stories). Even though I hold this series in very high regards, this is not for the average listener. clip 1.1 goes on with the same pattern for over an hour, it is distorted and doesn't change at all. You really have to appreciate drone and minimal. If you are new to drone and/or minimal music, I recommend first listening to drone artists like "Starts of the Lid" and "Biosphere", minimal artists like "Steve Reich" and "Hauschka" to slowly getting accustomed to these genres of music. If you are ready to plunge into Minimal drone, however, this is a series for you...beautiful, haunting, and original.

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Rosy Parlane: IRIS

This album came out from Touch recordings in 2004. Even though this album consists of three tracks, the end time of this album is around 48 minutes. Unlike some of the reviews I have just done, this artist tends to be much more abstract like other contemporary Drone artists such as "Tim Hecker". Though, unlike Hecker's work, his abstract soundscapes are much more soothing for the most part. The first track, aptly named "Part One" ends with a very calming pad and what sounds like an early computer running through its processes, like noises of an early digital tool working intently on finishing it's calculations. The rest of the album shares that similar softness and "gentle mechanics" to it. The next track, "Part Two", has a much more standard minimal drone to it with a padded chord resonating throughout. "Part Three" is probably the most aggressive out of three, yet it is still calming compared to some of the other Drone contemporaries. Definitely worth a listen, not only because it is a great record, but because if you get it though "emusic", it will only consists as 3 tracks (really great if you have a membership and want to use your alotted "songs" of the month.

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Loscil: Submers

This Album originally came out in 2002. When it comes to ominous minimal ambient drone albums, this one is truly a must have. The sounds for the most part are synthetic and have quite an analog feel, but with the amount of sustain on the notes and the layer of effects, they come across as quite organic and natural. This artist plays a lot with alternating rhythms pulsing in and out throughout each track. It almost reminds me of "Steve Reich"'s "Music for 18 Musicians" where patterns start phasing in and out of each creating an almost hypnotic feel. Overall it is dark in nature, but in no way does make you feel uneasy (as least for this listener). I would equate it more with "Biosphere"'s moodiness than with some of "Lustmord"'s more Ambient stuff. Every track on this album is a must listen from the minimal house-esque track "Gymnote" to the dubby track "Nautilus". My favorite track on this album is "La Plongeur", it has a beautiful bass line and great harmonies that cascade in and out.

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Grouper: Dragging A Dead Deer Up A Hill

The album starts off with electric piano saturated in reverb with a beautiful female voice peeking out of the background. The next song comes in with acoustic guitar and same ethereal reverb drenched vocals. The rest of the album goes back and forth with these three elements: vocals, minimal instrument (be it guitar or e-piano) and reverb. I am listing reverb as an instrument because the drone and decay of it creates interesting ethereal harmonies with the rest of the arrangements. Similarities range from the droney feel of "Stars of the Lid", the vocals of shoegaze bands ala "Perfume Tree" and "seefeel", and guitar work reminiscent of 4AD artists such as "Red House Painters". Standout tracks include: "Fishing Bird (Empty Gutted in the Evening Breeze)" and "Wind and Snow"

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