Made in 1999 in Amsterdam and Hannover, mastered by Johann Johannson in Reykjavik 2000. This is Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson's (of stilluppsteypa) second solo CD after his "ship" CD on Bernhard Gunter's Trente Oiseaux label, and "a long wait produced nothing further" LP on ERS Records in 2001. Although this album is made before the first two, it is finally being released after several misterious(!!!) delays. A mixture between the making of delicate soundscapes and the urge to dissolve them.
Being one of the members of Stilluppsteypa, it is safe to assume that
Sigmarssons background is more than adequate for a solo release. He
presents nine tracks with a total duration of just under fifty
minutes. The first track seems based on organ sounds with a scratchy
loop on top. It takes a while before the subtleties of the piece open
up to the listener, but then it's certainly rewarding. The second
track starts with high distorted sounds to which slow samples are
added, until there's a break and the piece seems to really start.
Upon checking I discovered that we're actually in track three now. It
takes track two more or less as an intro it seems. Similar sounds are
used to create an atmospheric track that has unexpected breaks and
cuts. Track four takes off slowly and gently, with subtle drones and
tones. A desolate ambience becomes clearer throughout the piece, that
grows staggeringly to its full potential. A true beauty. Track five
comes in with a low pulse that desintegrates completely during the
following minutes, leaving only a very soft dark drone. Very minimal
indeed, maybe a little too much. Track six starts in a similar vein,
but changes quite suddenly. Grungy digital sounds are layered into a
dense blanket of sound, that changes it colour slowly and then ends
in a very funny way. Track seven is another more ambient piece with
sliding tones and sounds. Number eight is a short organ piece again.
Track nine again features organ sounds (or so it seems), combined
with hisses and later crackles. A strange atmosphere is present
throught he whole CD, almost desolate, but not entirely, and there is
this certain feel to the music that I am not really able to describe.
Which is a good thing in this case. * Roel Meelkop (Vital Weekly311)
|
