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Re: [microsound] confield


> Conefield isn't my favorite Autechre effort, but I appreciate the
> fact that they're exploring new directions (don't they always ?). I
> think it'll give the Chocolate Industries and Schematics of the
> world something new to aim for. I have to say though that I was very
> pleasantly surprised to see that on their new album Phoenecia has
> definitely found more of a personal sound.
I think many of these artists are finding a more personal sound now;
the recent _Lily Of The Valley_ and _House Of Distraction_ comps on
Schematic are good evidence.

i was not too impressed with _house of distraction_ myself. sure, it doesn't sound like autechre anymore, but it's not all that much more interesting for it, save for a few good songs. i would say WHILE is probably my favorite act in that whole scene, the _lock_ & _even_ CDs particularly (both on chocolate industries). there's just so much work on that disc, rhythmic & melodic variations & so forth, i don't get tired of it. outside the schematic/choc.ind. scene but staying in the field of "angular beats" though, the most amazing artist is cex, whose _role model_ (tigerbeat6) is one of the albums i've listened to the most in the past year.

i only listened to _confield_ in-store, what i did was to fast forward through each tracks only to find out that, just as on chiastic slide, their compositional technique seems to amount to pressing play, go get a coffee, & come back in seven minutes to press stop. yes, i'm exaggerating & i know there's a more thought-out process than that at work, but that's really how it sounds like. i don't care about them not being melodic, & i agree that the simplicity of the process may make for a great work of art, but when there is nothing to appreciate aesthetically, i understand kim's reaction to analyze the method & find it weak. but, bravo autechre for at the very least trying, most don't even go that far.

(while i'm at naming favorites, i should mention that my favorite repetitive piece must be the presocratics' _radio-esplanade_, with this MIGHTY synth sound that goes on for 10+ minutes... it's truly MEAN. not sure what to think of the rest of the CD though...)

~ david