Bloggs - Music For Multiples
(Fresnl)
Bloggs, the one-man side project of rhBand member Joe Bloggs (is that his real name?),
is a collection of recordings that explore acoustic space through a variety of sound
sources. Music for Multiples is a fantastic collection of drone pieces that are somewhat
collage-oriented and usually meditative.
Bloggs works in the style of Omit or Bernard Gunther (though with less electronics). The
sounds are the focus here, and the resonance each one slowly draws out, pulling the
listener along in a sea of ambience. The mood is relatively dark, though not sinister,
simply reflective and spacious.
Each track on this CD is a treat. The opening track, "cassette," uses plastic wrap and an
empty cassette box to create a soundscape. The 12-minute "untitled piece for bowls"
uses not only Tibetan bowls but also the lid of a cooking pot and other stainless steel
bowls. As each bowl is struck with a mallet, the sound slowly dies out over a rumbling
background (of more bowls, apparently).
"steppe (process)" is one of the most minimal horn pieces I've ever heard (besides
Niblock's "Four Trombones"), made up of overlaid clarinet, saxophone and trumpet
(with PVC pipe!) in slow, modular drones. It moves like molasses and inflicts a sense of
being stuck in one place. It is truly retarded (but I don't meant that to sound derogatory--it's great!).
Minimalism is at its most extreme on the 14 minute "obscured by circles." A
harmonium is played, virtually unchanging, as overtones and modulations in the music
come out. It is a wonderful piece to be immersed in, recalling the ideas of LaMonte
Young or Tony Conrad, but with a unique timbre.
Bloggs and rhBand are providing some of the best drone music around today. Due to
their rare live appearances, I do not think they are going to become super famous on a
national level. However, Bloggs serves as a great example that furthers the musical
ideas of the rhBand, and I hope they inspire many.
|
