Cenote Glow / Wether - Split

Electromagnetic travels from Cenote Glow and Weather, in a split release on Sic Sic Tapes. One sidelong track from each artist, each unique and individually directed, but still cohesive. The front half, Whilpool, from Cenote Glow takes rolling cyclical grind, and evolves slowly, introducing sharp arpeggiated tones that dance effortlessly across the aforementioned nastiness before evolving into something else altogether. It's a cold, icy, feel, almost crystalline and sinister. The flip, Spirits In An Elevator, from Wether takes a more subtle, subdued approach, but to no less effect. Rich, deeply comforting low end rumble, tempered by the most delicately placed bits of melody breathing just beneath the surface. Feels like watching a full glass of water that's just about to overflow the edge, but never does. Hypnosis brought about through massive overwhelming depth of timbre and texture.

Edition of 75 hand duplicated, individually numbered copies. I was fortunate enough to grab this one as part of the latest Sic Sic batch. As expected, it's now sold out at the source, but still available from Cassette Mania.

Bus Gas - Train Out

So I’ve been hoping for a new Bus Gas tape since their 2011 release Six Movements In Four Hours, on Sweat Lodge Guru. Well, thanks to the exceptional Sic Sic Tapes, I just now happen to have their latest, Train Out on its second play in the Nak 600. Rusty, homespun, honestly melancholic, looping ambience. Maybe it has something to do with my awareness of the Midwestern origins of the project, but I can’t help but perceive a windswept rural road and endless flatland vistas. Two side long pieces, the first slow creeping breezes, the second pulsating, muddy, guitar plucked desolation, and both exceptionally melodic. It seems like a logical question would be, can a person have too much incredible ambient music arrive at their home, to which the answer is, absolutely not. Sounds like a tumbleweed stuck on a wire fence at the edge of town.

Unfortunately, it seems like by the time tapes make their pilgrimage across the Atlantic, the stuff from Sic Sic is so hot it’s already gone from the source before I can post it, which is exactly the case here. Best bet at this point is a quick scan of the distro links here.

Günter Schlienz - Tape Studies

So things have reached the point with Sic Sic Tapes that batches just don’t last. In fact, Tape Studies, the wonderful new edition from Gunter Schlienz, is, I believe, already sold out. Four solo electronic compositions performed largely (maybe completely?) on equipment created by Schlienz himself. Despite what I’m sure are hours, weeks, months, and even years, spent perfecting his equipment, and craft, these tracks seem absolutely effortless. Deceptively simple sequenced loops of ambient shimmer. Song construction that seems more a ghostly lullaby, than the typical synthesizer space trip. Each track begins with a basic melody, and patiently layers loops until completion. Not just creating sounds, but creating the creator of sounds. I can’t even comprehend the level this stuff is on.

Each hand numbered insert in the batch of 80 comes backed with layers of actual tape. I have no idea how long that must have taken, but the effect is completely sick. Sold out at Sic Sic and Discriminate, scour the web for copies and watch for updates to the Sic Sic Bandcamp.

Wolf Fluorescence - There is a Mirk Inside Here Which She Must Tint Brighter or Collapse

Nocturnal, somber, melodic sound collage on Sic Sic Tapes. "There is a Mirk Inside Here Which She Must Tint Brighter or Collapse" is the strongest yet from Wolf Fluorescence. The entire album length release feels like the downloaded scratch pad of metal patient creative genius. It vibrates with the feel of live mic recording. Seemingly, a spontaneous, unrehearsed, journey down an etherial and melancholic path. Unrelated recordings, sounds, and carefully chosen timbres weave into a cohesive whole, dispute their singular uniqueness. The magic trick I most admire in this release is the ability to work between opposing poles of open experimentation, and elegant musical structure. The closing track of side a, "The Glorious Night" challenges the listener with vague washes of ambience and experimentation until giving way to a haunting piece of recorded orchestration. Sounds like a ghostly hand on your shoulder leading you home, or perhaps not home. One of the best yet in '12.

Part of an incredible new six release batch. Unique art for each new tape in the series, pro printed, hand numbered, awesome. Sic Sic is getting quite the reputation of late as an "it" label (see the reviews from my pal Michael over at the Honest Bag) and runs of 85 don't last long, so best to look lively.