A three-part blast of sound for my fellow noiseniks, released by the Goat (The Church of the Noisy Goat label, that is).
Dan Dolby and Steve Holmes have collaborated to bring us the excellent “I Will Never Know.” While there is certainly a lot of heavy noise here, a close listen reveals many interesting elements in the mix. The aggressive opener “Part One” starts with slightly distorted/distraught vocals in the forefront (including repetition of the album title “I will never know”) but quickly rolls into heavy static and shards of feedback. That might sound like par-for-the-(noise)course, but underneath you can hear lots of little electronic squiggles and other sound embellishments that makes listening much more interesting (dare I say enjoyable?) than a straightforward wall of noise.
The pattern continues on “Part Two” with its traditional noise elements of electric machine hum, static, feedback, and clarinet. Haha, caught you. Clarinet? Yes indeed; while unusual in the context of this type of music, Holmes noodles away on the clarinet creating an oddly calming element to the overall barrage. “Part Three” continues with the expected noise elements electronic touches in the mix. The track takes us out with the return of the voice heard at the beginning of “Part One” and some harsh feedback. It almost seems like you could loop the end of “Part Three” back into the beginning of “Part One;” whether that was the intent, I will never know.