Various - Dream Frequencies Volume #1

  by Andrew Carver

published: 8 / 10 / 2007

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Most of the artists are obscure; the only two with a substantial discography are Vibracathedral Orchestra, who open the set, and label owners the Telescopes, who chime in during the latter half. The compilation is “dedicated to contemporary artists, concerning music and art either communicated from or evocative of dream states.” The discordant piping flute and exotic percussion of the Orchestra’s opener, ‘Chapel Lane Hoedown’ is a fine kickoff, though even non-fans will appreciate that the trance-inducing rhythms are the sort of thing best experienced as part of a full length. Fortunately it segues neatly into Birds of Delay’s 'Charnel House' which makes similar use of flute but skips the clanking for droning. Development of Shapes take over with the gentle piano post-rock of ‘1.2’, After a few seconds of silence, Dreams of Tall Buildings’ ‘Split Caucasian’ kicks in, making for a clear demarcation between its tense horns and the preceding track’s more genteel nature. The track is brief but nervously evocative. Moon’s ‘Ariel Log’ picks up the mood. The cumulative effect would seem more inspired by tossing-and-turning at night. The Library Tapes’ appropriately titled ‘Broken Piano Pt. 1’ doesn’t quite fit in, but its plunking and creaking could be called unsettling. Another moment of silence presages the multiple drones of Sculptress’ ‘More Answers than Questions’. As the track progresses the drones evolve into metallic screams and clattering. Things take a slightly unsuspected turn into the Dust Collectors’ ‘The Sun is Freed’ with its krautrock beat and whispered and spoken vocals. Fans of the avant-garde will find themselves on firmer ground with the ever-shifting musical terrain offered up by he bubbling drones and shimmering cymbal percussion of Bologna Pony’s ‘King or Emperor?’ The Telescopes follow with a droning number of their own, ‘In Communion With the Bishop’, then give way to the piano, submarine pings and static washes of Jazzfinger’s restful ‘The Past’. By comparison, Number None’s is a bit of an ear-bleeder, with its high pitched drone flirting with dental drill territory before being undermined – in a good way – by some dolorous piano. ‘Step into the Unknown’ is a more discreet offering, courtesy of ... Unexplained Transmissions, which features Randall Nieman of Füxa and Erik Kassab of Gravity Wax. A distant swarm of electronic notes circles a shuddering tone to entrancing effect. Finally Astral Social Club – the nom de noise of Alistair Campbell, formerly of Vibracathedral Orchestra – produces the playful burble of ‘Majestic Gargle’. ‘Dream Frequencies Vol. 1’ may not fulfill its mandate – only a few tracks could legitimately be called dreamy – but it certainly does make an effective introduction to a number of compelling experimental, drone and avant-garde acts.

Track Listing:-

1 Vibracathedral Orchestra- Chapel Lane Hoedown
2 Birds Of Delay- Charnel House
3 Development Of Shape- 1.2
4 Dreams Of Tall Buildings- Split Caucasian
5 Moon- Ariel Loop
6 The Library Tapes- Broken Piano Pt 1
7 Sculptress- More Answers Than Questions
8 The Dust Collectors -The Sun Is Freed
9 Bologna Pony- King Or Emperor?
10 The Telescopes- In Communion With The Bishop
11 Jazzfinger- The Past
12 Number None- All Energy Is A Form Of Life
13 ...Unexplained Transmissions- Step Into The Unknown
14 Astral Social Club- Majestic Gargle

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