Meson "Live in Atlanta 09.13.2002" 3" CD
[NCC]
This quick EP consists of one 15-minute live performance ("Minvera's Grand Aegis") that builds around ethereal low-end drones and thick, bubbling distortion, though ambient textures are definitely the dominant element here. The piece uses an effective sense of consistency and repetition, at times allowing a slight hint of rhythm to surge from the depths of the background, with a fair amount of movement and layering involved. The distortion employed is very restrained and sparse, rarely showing itself and letting layered samples and lots of reverberating movement creative more of an active sensibility within the track. Somehow a balance is struck between persistence and cohesiveness without lacking movement or character - that is to say, this is not a minimal, basic, droning composition - despite the fact that some of those elements exist within. But it's also not chaotic or jarring, even though some of the later foreground movements do reach a more vibrant and intense level. As expected for a live outing the sound is a little muddy and can at times have a smidge of rawness hovering around the edges, but it's fairly fluid and works well considering, so I'm not really complaining at all. The disc comes in a plastic sleeve with a Meson pin and inserts printed on cream colored paper. The cover's got a nice, simple design as well. The disc is limited to 60 copies, each hand-numbered on the back cover. Not bad. I'm a fan of Meson and I like this release, I'm just not sure it captures the atmosphere as well as it probably existed in person at the event. Some of the more heavily layered moments can crumble just a bit due to the recording, whereas in the live setting these sounds probably filled the space well without any limitations. Not bad, though. There are indeed some very nice passages within this selection. (6/10)
Running time - 15:15, Tracks: 1
[Notable tracks: there's only one]
NCC Records - http://www.ncc-records.com

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