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Merzbow/Carlos Giffoni/Jim O'Rourke, "Electric Dress"
This three way live collaboration (recorded in 2006 in Tokyo) by these titans of electronic abuse focuses on the analog elements of their respective careers. Even Masami Akita dusts off his EMS Synthi for an old school excursion.
In my youth I was a big follower of Masami Akita's work, buying any CD or LP that was reasonably priced and attainable. Hell, I remember drooling over the fabled Merzbox a few years before its release. However, dealing with any artist as dissonant and prolific as Merzbow, burnout is almost inevitable, and that's exactly what happened. I continued reading reviews and so forth, so I was well aware of Masami's shift from analog junk electronics to a Powerbook, and his rediscovery of percussion and drums as becoming part of his work. So upon receiving Electric Dress in the mail I was eager to hear what this new side of him would bring…a bit of disappointment hit me when I saw his contributions: EMS Synthi 'A', handmade instruments and effects. This disappointment quickly dissipated once I slid the disc in, however.
Electric Dress is a live collaboration between the aforementioned Akita, Carlos Giffoni (of the infamous No Fun Fest and Monotract, maning custom synths and analog filters) and the ubiquitous Jim O'Rourke on synths and microphones. Perhaps it's a mellowing with age, but even analog Merzbow seems more restrained and placid than his mid 1990s self. There's still a good deal of distorted bass rumble to be found—but it is mediated by analog oscillators tweaked to sound like chirping birds—and white noise bursts resembling torrents of rain and blowing wind. Throughout the 18+ minute single track the dynamics shift frequently, from full-on harsh noise to quiet, almost ambient passages. Having the three artists working at any given time makes for a deep mix, albeit not an overly harsh one. There are certainly the punishing and shrill moments, however.
The entire feel of this album is definitely analog, and it's a pretty interesting setting to hear these three musicians working without the aid of laptops and samples, and the piece remains an interesting, complex mix throughout that reveals new layers and elements on each listen. And though as I mentioned before Akita was going "old school" on this one, a bit of beats creep in early on in the form of analog synths, coming in like an 808 kick drum. Electric Dress makes for a good addition to a Merz collection, and even a good choice for a neophyte or Giffoni and O'Rourke fans who may not prefer the harsh stuff.
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