Skin Suit Highway "Steele" CD
[Snip-Snip]
Here's another EP from this apparently productive new noise project, this time coming from Snip-Snip rather than being self-released.  The overall approach is the same: A series of untitled tracks that start and stop rather abruptly, built around a core of harsh noise that does possess some atmosphere.  I actually think this is his best work to date, as somehow the material just seems to harness a little more feeling.  The first track effective employs a sample and has a little more breathing room at times, and several of the other tracks seem to offer more of that sense of movement as well.  At times there are some musical samples or something of that nature in the undercurrents that bring some added ambience to the harsh distortion, but it's nothing overpowering or out of place.  These songs don't all sound the same either.  They're definitely consistent with one another, but they each have their own little nuances, be it a more stuttered delivery, the presence of some loops, harsher and more biting fits of high-end to the distortion, etc.  I still wouldn't call this original, but I do like it, and this is an effective listen that flows well from start to finish.  The sound quality is aptly raw as well, so it's nice and thick throughout.  A little more of a bite to the high-end could be nice overall, but the density is really nice and allows for some added character to a lot of the more subtle nuances of the distorted tones and such.  Of course the packaging follows the Snip-Snip format of placing the CD-R in a slim jewel case with two xeroxes on colored paper inside with minimal artwork and text.  Ironically it looks rather consistent (to a degree) with Skin Suit Highway's usual fare as well, though I still think it leaves a little to be desired aesthetically.  This is definitely a better release than the "Mutant" EP, and I'll be curious to see what comes next.  Hopefully at some point the project can break away from D.I.Y. affairs or limited edition EP's to explore something a bit more involved or complete on some level. (6/10)
Running time - 22:52, Tracks: 5
[Notable tracks: they're all untitled]
Snip-Snip - http://www.iheartnoise.com/snipsnip/

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