Am I the last person to learn there is an annual Twin Peaks Day? Well, it may not officially be a worldwide holiday yet, but it’s formally celebrated in the City of Snoqualmie, Washington each year. But why shouldn’t the rest of the world join in? That seems to be at least part of the inspiration behind “The Black Lodge Music Compilation” on The Church of Noisy Goat netlabel, with hours of music celebrating the much-beloved television series and related spin-off creations of the incomparable David Lynch.
The Church of Noisy Goat is a music label started by the artists Bode and IO, both of whom are represented here and both of whom display a couple of the repeating elements of this comp. Bode kicks off this massive effort in glorious fashion with “Entering the Black Lodge (Intro).” It’s a version of the television show theme that sounds like it’s on a codeine nod. Numerous artists on this comp reimagine actual music found in the Twin Peaks world or are spurred on by samples of dialogue or show characters and scenes.
While the variety of musical styles is all over the map, IO appears much later in the track order and captures a consistent theme heard throughout, regardless of the style of music. Their song “Is it Future or is it Past?” mixes a wall of static with some underlying calm electronics. It musically displays a surface of beauty or peace crossed with underlying ugliness or corruption; a theme explored through much of David Lynch’s oeuvre.
In between (and a bit after) the Bode and IO tracks, there are lots of Bobs and owls and other components that will be familiar to Twin Peaks fans (maybe even a Log Lady if you pay attention). This is an excellent collection of songs, and the pacing and track sequencing is really well done. I always hate to leave anyone out when discussing a wonderful compilation like this one, but among the variety of music (did I mention there are 52 tracks?) I’ll mention some favorites:
- “Be quiet! (Bob’s ballad)” by Lärmschutz is a lament with electronic sounding horns, drones and some growling voice samples.
- The Owl gives us some perky, sped up and chopped up and music, at least for about a minute and a half. Then, “Where Is The Beauty – There Is None If The Eyes Are Soulless” moves into a more haunting drone space.
- AGDISTIZ’s “Dreamdrome” presents feedback rhythm and other odd electronics and voices; it sounds like messages trying to be sent through overlapping radio waves. One of several nice noise variations on this comp.
- Black Saturn and Igor Amokian team up for the doomy electronics and war zone rhythms of “FYHOY.” The rap will clarify the meaning of the song title for you.
- Teknokill has one of the few songs with sung lyrics; “I Only Look Like I’m Dead” is intense, dark electro where I hear lots of early 1980’s influences on the sound.
- The strange but compelling “Entrando al Pueblo de Twins Peaks” by Roberto Ncar sounds like we’re eavesdropping on someone wandering around their house, sampling instruments and experimenting with lines and singing styles as he works out a song for this compilation. A meta portrait of the artist at work.
- mora-tau’s “lostintwinpeaks” is sort of a dirge featuring minimalist echoing electronic notes and some off kilter violin.
- “Stare” by Pablito Clon features deep bass beats, slightly frightened group singing and some spoken word underneath.
- Hey Combo! offers “DOOM: Edo Mex Level” which mixes loud and wild percussion with some distorted guitar electronic sound embellishments. It kicks unrelentingly.
- “Dope Cola” by Antoine Trauma uses synths and beats to mix up a funky electronic concoction.
I’ll also call out another artist I’ve written about before. Painburn appears on an excellent song with Ntap called “Mixed Animals Stoled,” a quick blast of driving punk energy, growly and screamed vocal mixed with speedy electronic notes patterns.
At one point in the Twin Peaks TV show, Agent Dale Cooper shared this wisdom: “I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present.“ Why not let “The Black Lodge Music Compilation” be yours today?