Rafael Toral - Cyclorama Lift 3
(Tomlab)
Portuguese experimental guitarist Rafael Toral released Cyclorama Lift 3 as sort of an "outtakes" version of 1998's Aeriola Frequency. Both records use electronic feedback as the source material, altered by Toral into some interesting compositions. As he explains in the liner notes, "Cyclorama Lift 3" was too exuberant for the somber tones of Aeriola Frequency, thereby earning its own release as this 20 minute EP. Toral is equally influenced by shoegazer rock as he is by the minimalist canon; his refreshing interest in the emotional quality of his music is a nice touch, especially when stacked against some of the other cold experimentalists. This piece sears with some distortion, resulting in tones that are not quite as piercing as Aeriola Frequency but still shrill. The "ghost in the machine" feeling is still evident, though with a much more human feeling. If you're only getting one of the two records, this might be a better choice--slightly more accessible, it's an uplifting but brief recording.
|
