wonderful wooden reasons reviews eph05 and 06
Wonderful Wooden Reasons #36
Two new releases from Ephre this month, this one from Italian De Cordier takes recordings made in what he terms ‘night-time locations’ and re-contextualises them into some really rather intriguing compositions. When I saw ‘graveyards’ and ‘desecrated churches’ listed on the CDs reverse I must admit I did cringe a little. Fortunately I don’t get too much cheesy death-obsessing sent to me here but the occasional one does get through. I’m happy to say though that ‘Dyshim’ has far more going for it than pointless emo / goth naval-gazing. There are some moments when it seems that the ‘evil’ is being turned up but on the whole De Cordier uses his sound-sources to create a nicely disquieting set of grittily amorphous nocturnal meanderings.
The second of this months Ephre releases showcases the work of Australian droner Jonathan Read. Contrary to the Erik De Cordier release this one is (at least initially) a much more spacious and airy release of time stop drone music. By tracks two and three this optimistic lightness has morphed into weightier atmospheres and a more concrete sense of trepidation which is held through to the end of this intriguing little excursion. Being only an EP of around 22 minutes it’s difficult to be comprehensive or particularly effusive about this release but it does show a nicely restrained hand and a keen ear and is very listenable. I think there’s more to come here and I’m looking forward to hearing it.
(ian holloway, wonderful wooden reasons #36)
tracks featured in the accompanying mix on wonderful wooden reasons mixcloud
