Chefkirk "Fields of Paranoia" CD
[Organic Pipeline]
I've never understood why projects will record substantial amounts of solid material only to release them in obscurely limited editions.  For example, what you've got here is basically a 41-minute full-length containing nine well executed tracks of Chefkirk's patented experimental noise... but only 50 copies exist!?  Included are a range of compositions from 22 seconds to a massive 18 minutes, with titles as obscure as "Basftoutity" or as pointed as "Fear, Suspicion, Mistrust, Terror".  "PYRRHULOXIA" opens with a glitchy and sort of back and forth shift between different sounds, eventually building into a thicker, louder, and more distorted sensibility than most of what I'm used to hearing from the project; which continues in the brief "Garooo-a-a-a" before the six-and-a-half-minute "Parafovea" settles into more of an ambient realm.  There's still some fleeting feedback and light distortion, mind you, but the overall tone is far more thinned out and restrained, and there are some excellent little ethereal moments of minimal hums and strange electronic undercurrents.  "720045" has some unexpected drumbeats present, while other shorter selections like "The Alveolar Ridge" are more loop based and repetitious - and effectively so considering the compact running times.  "Uncommon, Cyclic" is another softer piece, somewhere between the sparseness of "Parafovea" and the quick little machinated glitchy fits of "The Alveolar Ridge" - complete with some background elements that have a really dry sound, like field recordings or such.  "Fear, Suspicion, Mistrust, Terror" is the real whopper, though (and quite possibly the strongest Chefkirk track title to date).  Closing out the disc at more than 18 minutes long, it makes up damn near half of the entire content, opening with a fierce stuttered loop that has a really nice sense of presence.  Eventually things shift about and layers come and go, with the bulk of the piece coming from different repetitive little loops and rhythmic arrangements.  Despite this track possessing what is perhaps an overly long running time for this type of approach, there are enough atmospheric little moments and subtle nuances that add some feel to the work, and that makes for some interesting moments for sure.  Some of the harsher leanings have some great, bright highs as well.  Nice.  And as usual I really like the recording quality, which is crisp and loud but also has that nice balance that doesn't sound too clinical and digital, but it's not overly thick or rugged at any point either.  It's right on the line, with a good sense of tonal range and a pretty strong air of warmth throughout.  The CD-R comes in a color xeroxed sleeve that depicts some sort of strange frozen imagery, while inside is a simple text sleeve printed in black on matte gray paper with one abstract image in the center.  The outer packing has a little bit of a pixilated look to it though, so in the end the visual presentation leaves a little to be desired, especially since I've seen some very nice looking discs from Chefkirk in the past.  Overall "Parafovea" is my favorite selection herein, but even though some of the characteristics of the material aren't my thing, in typical fashion I enjoy the sense of movement and the overall balance achieved by this project.  Those who follow Chefkirk's work won't be disappointed. (6/10)
Running time - 41:43, Tracks: 9
[Notable tracks: Parafovea, Uncommon, Cyclic, Fear, Suspicion, Mistrust, Terror]
Organic Pipeline - http://www.organicpipeline.com

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