Wire Tapper 40
Included with The Wire issue 387 from May 2016.
Very likely unintended theme: Down by the Docks. The Wire Tapper CD’s don’t have any stated theme, but for some reason the overall sound of this one largely conjures up feelings of being near the water at some seaport. Perhaps it was just some of the song title words rolling around in my brain: burning sea, black beaches, drowning, bride-ship and gulls. And thanks to artist Gary Seabrook for contributing his name to help bolster my weak nautical theme argument.
Things that make you go hmmmm…: That honor goes to the artist bhaavitaaH bhuutasthaH for most challenging band name. I did some extensive research to interpret the meaning, backwards and forwards, and determined…sorry, I’ve got nothing. Regardless, their song here (“Rückkopplung”), is awesome. It includes really cool percussion over static and what could be treated orchestral samples from an old movie; a nice juxtaposition of elements.
One(s) I explored further: That’s the point of compilation CD’s usually, right? Further exploring music you like? I often pick out one artist to track down from these comps for a more in-depth listen. Well, I cheated on this one, because I’ve picked three that really stood out:
— There is an excerpt of the Driftmachine song “Dogov Godov” here, with its captivating layered electronic elements featuring circuit play and edgy percussion. The full version of the song can be found on “Colliding Contours”; a wonderful electronic album that includes dub and industrial elements spicing up the mix. Recommended for late night listening in a darkened space.
— The Oiseaux-Tempête song “Nec Mergitur” has sort of an angry jazz vibe driven by drums, guitar, and sax that gets louder and more violent as it progresses. It really grabbed me and led me to their album “Unworks & Rarities 2012-2015.” I was a little thrown as the opening track “Eclipse & sirocco” was a flowing, calming, uplifting piece of music I was not expecting. While I did find one other track (“Black as Midnight on a Moonless Night “) that had somewhat the same vibe as “Nec Mergitur,” there are other songs on different planes, including elements of ambient, post-rock, and spoken word. Lots of very interesting music that will be fun to explore further.
— I was immediately captivated by Olga Wojciechowska’s “ I’m Never Not Thinking About You” with its beautiful plaintive violin; it’s one of those songs I never wanted to end. It’s featured on her album “Maps and Mazes” which is full of amazing compositions that you need to submerge yourself into. And now I’m never not thinking about you, Olga.
Most familiar face: Supersilent always brings the quality and their track here, “13.3”, is no exception. This has lots of interesting noises and arrhythmic beats collaged together for your listening pleasure. Unsurprisingly, at this point in their history they also stay consistent with their song titling as this fits right in with their catalogue.
From the name alone I thought it would sound like Kraftwerk: The title “Aerodynamics Pt 2” by Morten Poulsen got the edge here over Driftmachine, but neither really hits the same autobahn of our German friends. Poulsen drives a dirty industrial machine on his track, with the second half sounding almost like reverse of first half…sort of an aural palindrome.
Should I break out the eyeballs and top hats?: With the Snickers track “See You, Owczarek” we tune into an alien frequency that includes chanted vocals and distorted electronics. Then about half way through someone changes the station to a background that sounds more like distorted guitar. If you told me this was The Residents playing around, I would believe it.
Honorable mentions, or Four More to Explore: If your time is limited, check out My Disco “1991”, Susanna “Burning Sea”, Sparkle In Grey “Minka Minka”, and Roger Döring/Konrad Korabiewski “Hof”.
Other important music information regarding the number 40:
— “40” is the title of a song on U2’s “War” album. The lyrics are based on Psalm 40 which includes the line “…And he hath put a new song in my mouth…,” foretelling the arrival of Bono thousands of years before he was born.
— On a less reverent note, the song “40oz. to Freedom” by Sublime is about malt liquor and some more base concerns than what U2 usually references as subject matter.
— And finally, in Russia, some people believe that the ghost of a dead person lingers for forty days at the location of their death. The band Spoon has a song “The Ghost of You Lingers.” Spoon is not from Russia; they hail from Austin, Texas, which is nowhere near Russia. Creepy, huh?