William Basinski

Shortwavemusic

Genre: MODERN CLASSICAL / AMBIENT

MP3
FLAC

Boomkat Product Review:

Finally, the much-discussed and highly sought-after 'Shortwavemusic' has made it to cd, almost ten years after its initial release . The album originally appeared back in 1998 on Carsten Nicolai's Noton label (which as we all know would eventually turn into experimental powerhouse Raster Noton) and was issued as vinyl LP only, so this is in fact the first time the album has appeared on compact disc, not only this but Basinski has kindly bumped the package up with an extra 15 minute track. It's not like you should need much coaxing to invest in a Basinski record, but seriously this one is worth taking notice of - we are all big fans of his other shortwavemusic exploration 'The River' (on Raster Noton) and this epic series of compositions is easily comparable. Using fragments of muzak recorded from the radio, Basinski chopped, re-pitched and looped these familiar elements to procure the haunting waves of sound on the record and then draped them in a gown of shortwave static, humming and hissing in accompaniment. It is almost impossible to comprehend that Basinski was recording this stuff back in 1982, it still sounds so futuristic and prophetic, the delicate and sentimental ghost-like melodies and the sheets of echoing fizzing and buzzing. Basinski manages to make music which is at the same time distinctly referential of the past, or should I say respectful of the past, and uniquely forward-facing, and in such he manages to create music that is defiantly his own. He has hollowed out his own special place in the music scene, garnering fans from the oddest of places (Madonna??) and that's in some part down to the fact that his music is just so beautiful, sidestepping academic concerns with ease. Anyone who dares suggest that instrumental music, that 'experimental' music can't affect you emotionally just needs to take a listen to this disc; it is a collection of music that seems to suggest the end is near, the end of what exactly is up to you to decide? absolutely breathtaking in every way...

MP3 Release (5)