Entre Vifs – Art of Noises – 110th Anniversary
– Vinyl LP – Aussaat – Aussaat 30 – 2023
https://entrevifs.bandcamp.com/music
Side 1 –
Session 57A -1
Side 2 –
Session 57A – 2
I’ve become increasingly familiar with the works of Entre
Vifs through continual reviews for the label Aussaat. Each of their sessions are recorded at the
project’s Noisecraft Workshop, in the Maisons Alfort suburb of Paris, these
particular sessions were recorded in November 2019. The theme of this lp is Luigi
Russolo’s 1913 Book ‘The Art of Noises.’ I found the first essay in the booklet
by Zorin on Noise to be exciting, I liked how he talks about the context of
Entre Vifs “Joy Through Noise”. Zorin was active in Le Syndicat since around
1982 so in the booklet he also talks about his reaction to SPK and Throbbing
Gristle. The whole booklet could have been this essay expanded as I started to
want to know more about the history and present of Industrial Music in France,
you know all that stuff Tape Mag site publishes! The text and featured artwork
also made me think how I approach my own painting in relation to all this music.
The second essay Lyrical Brutalism as Cognitive Art contextualises the work of
Entre Vifs beautifully. When releases come with essays, I can be dismissive as
I’m not often convinced, but here, I am glad I read through the booklet that
comes with the album
Session 57A – 1, scrapes, clangs and sonically barks into
life. The wailing of Entre Vif’s homemade instruments is like the sound of a
familiar friend as they begin their fractured dialogue. The metallic resonations
and clanging echo ricochet around as under-drones hum underneath the work for short
time and disappear as if they are a rug pulled from underneath the feet of the main
body of noise, leaving a raw, honest rhapsody of noises. That leads to other
noises entering and starting to thicken the texture of the session as it shifts
into a busier overload of violent joy. As with any piece by Entre Vifs, the movement
of the track shifts between fractured and fluid and a wide range of sounds seem
to come out of each instrument, they wail and feedback against other noises as
if pushed way beyond their own limits. The noises do sound like voices wailing
and arguing at times.
The sound on the second side Session 57A 2 is immediately
textured, not as densely as the first side, but in away that allows space
between all the sounds that are being made. As I have often said the
sophistication of what’s happening is evident as new noise language comes into
the work, it shifts the flow of the session into other directions. As it breaks
off into less noises and eventually one noise wailing off, the shift in density
from busy to solo is an impressive contrast to the earlier busier combustion of
the session. The work does sound dark at times, without even trying too hard,
it doesn’t need any imagery to do that, the instruments shift mood a lot from
pained to joyful and anywhere between within a move.
As ever, Entre Vifs has never made a bad album. This vinyl
debut is beautifully presented by the cover and large booklet, the sound is
sophisticated and outstanding. To be honest I wouldn’t expect any less.
Army of One 2024.
No comments:
Post a Comment