JANA IRMERT: End of Absence CD Fabrique Records

JANA IRMERT: End of Absence   CD  Fabrique Records

This Berlin based sound and media artist focuses her work on translating the less tangible aspects of existence through atmospheres and sonic spaces; that occasionally interweave, with visual representation (not on the disc however).

The press blurb that came with this release mentions installation work; and there is a definite edge to this album that leans in that direction.  It is a dangerous game though, as most people who work with both, forget a lot of the time that a mere audio piece loses what they were fundamentally trying to interpret.

However, Irmert has produced here, a piece of work that can sit solidly on it’s own.  ‘End of Absence’, for all it’s background clattering, utilises its space well.  Ghostly apparitions of vocal elements seamlessly glide amongst a bed of transparent ambient pads; and field recordings utilise a gloomy quality that border occasionally into Dark Ambient territory.

There is the occasional smattering of arty tomfoolery that I would normally rip to shreds.  Jana though, has been clever enough to add enough musicality to outshine any discretion that could have arisen; remembering first and foremost that people nowadays mainly buy an album for its actual songs (albeit very quiet ones on this occasion).

8.5/10

CHRISTOPHER CHAPLIN: Je Suis Le Ténébreux 2xLP/CD Fabrique Records

CHRISTOPHER CHAPLIN: Je Suis Le Ténébreux     2xLP/CD Fabrique Records

This is Chaplin’s first full solo album, after working with a number of collaborators over the years.  Combining a number of experimental sounds created from classical instrumentation, this release is a cacophony of madness from the off; and to the untrained ear, you could be forgiven for becoming somewhat thrown by the jumbled nature of this album.

However, on the odd occasion there is much to praise, such as the smattering of operatic vocals that cut their way through ‘Aelia Laelia’; and the wonderful washes of piano that interweave amongst tumbling strings at various intersections throughout the release.

This is one of those albums that I could love to hate if left in its company for too long.  There is much on here that detracts from the obvious talents that Chaplin possesses; and more often than not, when an artist becomes so wrapped up in their experimental obsessions, the music itself suffers somewhat.

‘Je Suis Le Ténébreux ‘, I appreciate, is an album that will appeal to a fair few people out there; and Chaplin’s wealth of experience does shine through enough to appreciate his strengths, over his self-imposed weaknesses.   This is one of those difficult albums that highlight great musicality, overburdened with an obsession to be obscure.

7.5/10