[news]  [features]  [reviews]  [articles]  [contact]  [search]  [home]

.

If, Bwana - I, Angelica  2CD

(Pogus Productions - www.pogus.com - P21024-2)
[Genres: experimental, noise, experimental electronics)

Al Margolis is back, this time working under his If, Bwana moniker.  If, Bwana has had quite a large history previous to this album, including countless collaborations with various noise outfits and labels such as RRR, zidsic, and Anomalous.  Interestingly enough, "I, Angelica" seems to be his noisiest release of all.  This is especially apparent in "Guitars by Al," a strong, abrasive piece, featuring what we assume is VERY distorted guitar.  This piece goes on for seven minutes, but, despite the fact that it remains loud and relatively unchanged throughout its entirety, the listener is never tempted to turn it off.   Another piece, "Walking Der Dog," combines samples and assorted noises with the sounds of somebody walking their canine friend, Ted.  Although the casual listener may be turned off by the grating nature of the background noises, it is these sounds that provide the piece with musical depth and atmosphere.  Perhaps the most developed, in the common sense of the word, piece here is "The Railway Station Fire."  Created in 1992, it is an almost 15 minute epic, and the only piece on this album with lyrics.  The frightening choice of words and the eerie voice which chants them are perfect for each other, articulating the horrific nature of the image perfectly ("Back and forth lap against lap fold upon fold/Fetching up and hissing lingerly/Fire fire fire fire fire fire fire").  Accompanying the voice are electronic glitches and grinds that further enhance the experience, fabricating a dark, grimy atmosphere.  Margolis, with the help of a few friends, has created yet another great album.  If you enjoyed Margolis' other works, or the other releases on the Pogus label (especially Kenneth Gaburo's "Tape Play" album), you will probably appreciate this double album.  Be warned, though, this is not the type of harsh noise you've come to expect from artists such as Merzbow and Government Alpha.

85%

(Pogus Productions, 50 Ayr Road, Chester NY 10918)