Die Stadt has finally made this limited 12" picture disc available tothe world, originally released at the Mirror performances in April ofthis year. There are certain characteristics to be expected on MirrorLP releases: approximately 20 minutes of a drone graces each side whichcome in quietly, swell and then die softly. There is some sense ofbalance in all Mirror recordings, however, which has kept people likeme addicted and coming back for more. Fans might be alarmed to hear theamount of non-droning abrasive sounds contained herein. Joining thecore duo of Heemann and Chalk this time around is longtime friend andcollaborator Jim O'Rourke, a man who is either loved or hated it seems,with nobody simply on the fence. Subsequently, while the context issomewhat familiar, the sound is much different. Open microphones insidea room open the first side as the drones begin to be set into motion,silently. Perhaps it was a hot day in das haus von Heemann, as I couldswear I'm hearing an oscillating fan move back and forth while somebodyrustles through utensils in a kitchen drawer. The drones are low, slowand bell sounds are kept in the distance. Over time, faster,higher-pitched drones are layered in, vibrating almost like horn soundsor a quickly-bowed stringed instrument. The drones drift off andsuccumb to the microphone recordings. The bell sounds ring in thesecond side and once again join the proverbial drones, along with thetrain engine-mimicing sound of what could easily be breathing throughwind instrument mouthpieces. By the end of the second side, the droneshave taken over as the field recordings give in. Surprisingly enough,this release is limited to a whopping 400 copies! (Unlike previous livespecials occasionally found on eBay in the hundreds of dollars,...)
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