This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That

admin — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:02:00 +0000

Marnie Stern was brought to my attention by one of my favorite shredders, Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females. This could not be more appropriate as Marnie Stern is also a shredder. I could not help but be intrigued by this album. The cover art (by Bella Foster) grabbed me immediately with its watercolor and pencil styling of dreamy forest imagery recalling Henry Darger. The album’s curious title, This Is It & I Am It & You Are It & So Is That & He Is It & She Is It & It Is It & That Is That comes from a 1960 Alan Watt piece, This Is It.

This Is It... begins with just a nondescript clicking and Marnie Stern's elfish voice repeating eerie phrases "defenders get on to your knees..." in "Prime." On first impression, Stern’s voice is can be compared to Joanna Newsom's quirky vocals. At forty-two seconds in, the beat drops and the song really begins, exploding into a panicky cacophony of guitar and drums.

The album is definitely a psychedelic freak out. Stern pairs up again with Zach Hill of Hella, who also appeared on Stern’s 2007 debut album, In Advance of the Broken Arm. Stern's intricate and erratic guitar riffs can only be followed by someone with the impeccable timing and precision of Hill. I would argue that he is the most appropriate drummer for this album.

Bassists John Reed Thompson and Jonathon Hischke demonstrate the ability to follow through on Stern and Hill's compositional aesthetics. Stern’s creative riffs and unique voice call to mind Deerhoof and Erase Errata, in the best ways, which should be extrapolated to mean you can definitely dance to this. At times I am even reminded of The Beatles' more trippy songs. Tracks like "The Crippled Jazzer" are super-driving, making it clear that Stern is well-versed in the art of inducing head-banging as well.

This Is It... will definitely satisfy your need for weirdo psychedelic jams. It is exciting to hear someone going down a completely original route with what seems like no pretense at all; this is hard to find especially in New York. And I'd also be lying if I said I weren't excited that Marnie Stern recorded this album herself.

Written by: Kate Wadkins, January 16th 2009

Fabriclive.40

admin — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 18:27:00 +0000

By Noisia

Fabric Records

Sound aficionados who venture forth on the Fabric path will discover music that is progressive, exciting, and out of this world. If you’re not a fan of drum n bass, break beats, and electronic music, you have to make the commitment to listen, but if you love sound and the evolution of human creative expression, that commitment is not hard to make.

Noisia is the Dutch trio of Nik Roos, Martijn Van Sonderen, and Thijs de Vlieger. They have been involved in the drum n bass music scene since 1998, and own two record labels: Vision and Division. They have performed across the world, working with major artists like Robbie Williams and Moby.

Fabriclive.40 is a mixed CD, which includes many of Noisia’s own tracks. As long as you enjoy robotic beings from the twenty-fifth century's outer space blasting back to our timeframe to teach us new and different things, Fabriclive.40 is incredible!

The first song sets the listener up for the experience. It is the only song with words, and those words are: “Ladies and Gentleman, can I please have your attention. I’ve just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I mean all of you stop what you’re doing and listen.” How can you not pay attention after that?

The music, at times, is harsh, disjointed, and dark. The drumbeat is relentless. Fabriclive.40 is shadowy future trek where you have to leave your mind at home to listen.

Some folks might think this music is just noise. However, if you make that commitment to listen, you’ll discover the melodies in this album that are like having veins of solid gold.

Written by: Patricia Ethelwyn Lang, August 1st 2008

cacophonous

This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and So Is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That

Fabriclive.40