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"with hidden noise": review



Keith Rowe & Kim Cascone
With Hidden Noise
anechoicmedia a002

http://www.anechoicmedia.com
http://www.riouxs.com

The second release from Kim Cascone's new label, distributed by
Riouxs' records (I am going to get a copy of the first, so expect a
review), and its a little marvel - a square cd that comes in a clear
plastic envelope. While it looks great and rather smart I was worried
it wouldn't play, which it didn't until I placed it on the platter as
a full sized disk - the diagonal is the same length as a normal cd's
diameter. Anyway, it works aesthetically and functionally. What about
musically?

'With hidden noise' seems to have two distinct layers. Forming the
ground is a slowly swirling synth piece, reminiscent of Heavenly
Music Corporation, and like an illustrative ground your awareness of
it varies - sometimes it seems to be way down almost hidden and at
others it progresses almost to the foreground. And occasionally there
a subtle variations and pulses.

And the figure which comprises that foreground is very varied and
restrained - constructed from clicks and skitters, pops, scratching,
rumbles and so on, it creates a constantly changing surface over the
more consistent ground. (At one stage there is an obvious guitar
sound - one of the sources.) Sometimes loud and direct, at others a
distant chopping, shifting between densly layered and single
elements, you lose your sense of perspective. Like a necker cube your
perceptions swing between the figure and ground, the ground becomes
your focus and then your mind swaps back to the other component.

This is not an intense piece - its drifting currents carry you along
for a relaxing ride. But the (improvised) surface adds a controlled
nuance that provides a satisfying depth and draws you back to the
piece.
jeremy keens (ampersand etc. 2001.1)
http://ampersandetc.virtualave.net/ampersand.html