“Other Matter”
Another Other Matter? Oui, s’il vous plait. It seems partners in noise Michel Kristof and Julien Palomo are keeping busy, and that’s good news for us. While they’ve thrown off the “chaines” of the series discussed (in part) below, the music they created for this album continues their high quality output.
There are amazing moments of psychedelic dissonance, among the other abstract noise, on this release. Much of the construction of these songs has the feel of the way John Cage put together some of his sound pieces. And like Cage, it’s not always too serious. “Déracinement,” for example, throws in random humorous sound elements throughout. And “Le Bluesman A Qui On Ne Donne Pas Une Pièce Dans Le Métro” definitely felt like it was subtly suggesting subway sounds with many of the noise choices. Another impressive effort.
“Mon Royaume De Chaines – V – Des Entrailles”
This release has completely thrown off my backwards review plan of Other Matter releases on the MuteAnt Sounds Netlabel. But that’s OK, because it may be the best one I’ve heard so far.
The sound on “Des Entrailles” is consistent with the two volumes of “Mon Royaume De Chaines” discussed below. The noises created by guitar and synth are again simpatico. Two tracks really jumped out at me. “Les Faux Sages” at times sounded like the surf classic “Wipe Out” had been run through a blender; that is, until about half way through, when things slow way down and the song stretches out even further. And the real standout for me was “Mon urgence.” It features distorted hand claps and a pulsing rhythm, but conjures a war zone, complete with the sounds of dropped bombs and air raid sirens.
“Mon Royaume de Chaines – III – Sensible”
I guess I’m working my way backwards on this series now, because that’s how I roll. I liked number 4 “Calque” so much (see below) that I wanted to hear more. And guess what? Number 3 does not disappoint.
I haven’t done scientific measurements, but my sense in listening to this is that it’s perhaps a little more guitar driven than “IV” (or maybe there are just more recognizable guitar elements); I also noticed more the way the guitar was played…bent notes, odd fretting, playing the parts of the instrument you not “supposed” to play. Most of the pace here is unrushed and it gets downright spacey at times (sometimes in a “space rock” way, sometimes in a Sun Ra way – especially over the final track). In any case, it all still features lots of nice interaction between the players. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s a wonderful companion piece to “IV” so, if you enjoyed that one, don’t hesitate to look back to “III.”
“Mon Royaume de Chaines – IV – Calque”
There’s a fairly extensive write up from the band with this one, describing some details of this release along with a bit of their musical journey/history. I laughed out loud when I hit this part of the description of their music: “It was never very popular to begin with, a critic suggesting in the early days that it was anxiety attacks put to music. Sadly we’re French, more of the Camus than Daft Punk type.” Personally, I’d sign up for that before hearing a note.
This album is the fourth in their “My Kingdom of Chains” series. It’s an experimental noise adventure led by Michel Kristof (guitar) and Julien Palomo (synths). But when I describe it as “noise,” it’s not in the form of a heavily layered cacophony. Instead, there is space for sounds to appear and evolve through the exhilarating interplay between the two musicians. Although I don’t believe it is, this has the vibe of a live improv performance. Maybe the word “electric” is the best way to describe it. First in the literal sense in that there is a lot of noise that sounds like sparking or humming electricity, but also electric in that it maintains a level of excitement throughout.