Material

Review from Outburn Magazine

     

From Outburn Magazine, Issue #19
DRAMATIC SOUND EXPLORATIONS: The intriguing experimental soundscapes and creative noise laced with vocal samples form a distinct sound and vision of this complex body of work. The 14 compositions on Material: 10 Years of Sound are compiled from unreleased tracks or rare songs previously only available on compilations and cassettes or as soundtracks for theater and film productions. This second CD release from Intonarumori contains both chaotic collages and soothing ambience held together by the subtle tones, instruments (such as cello, bass, electronics), and vision of Seattle based composer Kevin Goldsmith, who also runs Unit Circle Rekkids. The striking opening piece, "Uniform Random Variables" sets the mood with a multi-layered mix of dynamic noise and melodies with vocal samples welcoming the listener to the computer age as well chronicling a brief history of India and its music. The second track, "Layer Parallelism," forges through immersive drones, composite vocal samples, dissonant rumblings, chugging undertones, and scraping blips. The remaining tracks of the album provide just as diverse a palette of sounds including soothing waves, frenetic squiggling electronics, forboding darkness, political samples, plucking strings, and creaking warblings. Overall, Material: 10 Years of Sound is an inventive and entertaining audio journey. - Octavia